The 2300 days prophesy of Daniel...
In the last study, we had determined that Antiochus Epiphanes was the topic being discussed in Daniels vision, and now, we will go through this same vision, using Antiochus as our guide, to determine the date that Daniel had received…the date of 2300 days.
Most, if not all interpretations of this vision of Daniels, say that Daniel is speaking of 2300 years instead of days. Its very difficult to keep up with all the current theories because there are just way too many to count, but here is one quick one so you can see how far they take things out of whack…
The Big Question. How Long?
Then I heard one holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking, "How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow the holy place and the host to be trampled?" (Daniel 8: 13).
This a picture of the two holy ones standing before God at the Ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Place. They see the people in the outer court and in the Holy Place being trampled. If it were possible, the destructive forces would go after the Most Holy Place in heaven, where they were.
Question: Heaven asks a profound question. "How long would Satan be allowed to continue his rampage?"
Answer: And he said to me, "For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed. (Daniel 8: 14). They would be allowed to work for 2300 years! No wonder Daniel fainted!
Copyright ©2001-2012 Teachinghearts
With a name such as “teaching hearts” how can they be wrong, right? How much more of this garbage will we have to tolerate? Where in Daniels vision did it say anything about Heaven, or satan?…the answer is never. Gabriel is discussing one thing and one thing only here, he is discussing Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and how many days it took for Antiochus to pervert the temple of Solomon, until it was rededicated by the Maccabees. No more.
Lets read what Daniel had seen again in chapter 8...
1 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me—to me, Daniel—after the one that appeared to me the first time. 2 I saw in the vision, and it so happened while I was looking, that I was in Shushan, the citadel, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in the vision that I was by the River Ulai. 3 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. 4 I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great.
5 And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power. 7 And I saw him confronting the ram; he was moved with rage against him, attacked the ram, and broke his two horns. There was no power in the ram to withstand him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled him; and there was no one that could deliver the ram from his hand. 8 Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven. 9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered.
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”
14 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”
Most, if not all interpretations of this vision of Daniels, say that Daniel is speaking of 2300 years instead of days. Its very difficult to keep up with all the current theories because there are just way too many to count, but here is one quick one so you can see how far they take things out of whack…
The Big Question. How Long?
Then I heard one holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking, "How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow the holy place and the host to be trampled?" (Daniel 8: 13).
This a picture of the two holy ones standing before God at the Ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Place. They see the people in the outer court and in the Holy Place being trampled. If it were possible, the destructive forces would go after the Most Holy Place in heaven, where they were.
Question: Heaven asks a profound question. "How long would Satan be allowed to continue his rampage?"
Answer: And he said to me, "For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed. (Daniel 8: 14). They would be allowed to work for 2300 years! No wonder Daniel fainted!
Copyright ©2001-2012 Teachinghearts
With a name such as “teaching hearts” how can they be wrong, right? How much more of this garbage will we have to tolerate? Where in Daniels vision did it say anything about Heaven, or satan?…the answer is never. Gabriel is discussing one thing and one thing only here, he is discussing Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and how many days it took for Antiochus to pervert the temple of Solomon, until it was rededicated by the Maccabees. No more.
Lets read what Daniel had seen again in chapter 8...
1 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me—to me, Daniel—after the one that appeared to me the first time. 2 I saw in the vision, and it so happened while I was looking, that I was in Shushan, the citadel, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in the vision that I was by the River Ulai. 3 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. 4 I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great.
5 And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power. 7 And I saw him confronting the ram; he was moved with rage against him, attacked the ram, and broke his two horns. There was no power in the ram to withstand him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled him; and there was no one that could deliver the ram from his hand. 8 Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven. 9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered.
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”
14 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”
We have determined in the previous study that Daniels vision is referring to Antiochus IV...
... so, now lets see what Daniel is talking about when he is referring to 2300 days, starting with verse 9...
9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land.
We established that verse 9 was referring to Antiochus Epiphanes in the last study…
10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.
Again, the same thing...this is also referring to Antiochus Epiphanes. We had determined in the previous study that Epiphanes means “god like” or “ the manifest of god” He gave himself this title just as this verse says, “grew up to the host of heaven.” This verse also says he cast some of the hosts to the ground, and he did…lots of them. In a matter of days he killed thousands of Jews…
When these happenings were reported to the king, he thought that Judea was in revolt. Raging like a wild animal, he set out from Egypt and took Jerusalem by storm. He ordered his soldiers to cut down without mercy those whom they met and to slay those who took refuge in their houses. There was a massacre of young and old, a killing of women and children, a slaughter of virgins and infants. In the space of three days, eighty thousand were lost, forty thousand meeting a violent death, and the same number being sold into slavery. 2 Maccabees 5:11-14
What else needs to be said, he trampled many of the holy people to the ground, and just because the verse says “hosts” they assume that it is speaking of heavenly beings, but this is not true. The definition "hosts" clearly states otherwise…
1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
a) army, host
1) host (of organised army)
Antiochus fought relentlessly with the Maccabees, which was a rebel Jewish army. They were the ones that caused the rebellion, and those that redecated the temple of Solomon. The Maccabees were the “hosts” that were cast to the ground. You'll have to forgive me but, all of this should be really be followed by a resounding…”duh!”
So what else did Daniel see…
11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down.
Now watch this, this is where it really starts to get good. It says here, “he exalted himself as high as the prince of the host”. We’ve already been through this, did Antiochus Epiphanes call himself a god? We went through this in the last study, and we went through once already in this one…Epiphanes means “the manifest of god” and he gave this title to himself. He actually thought he was a god…
He assumed divine epithets, which no other Hellenistic king had done, such as Theos Epiphanes (Greek: ΘΕΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΗΣ mean "God Manifest") Wikipedia
9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land.
We established that verse 9 was referring to Antiochus Epiphanes in the last study…
10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.
Again, the same thing...this is also referring to Antiochus Epiphanes. We had determined in the previous study that Epiphanes means “god like” or “ the manifest of god” He gave himself this title just as this verse says, “grew up to the host of heaven.” This verse also says he cast some of the hosts to the ground, and he did…lots of them. In a matter of days he killed thousands of Jews…
When these happenings were reported to the king, he thought that Judea was in revolt. Raging like a wild animal, he set out from Egypt and took Jerusalem by storm. He ordered his soldiers to cut down without mercy those whom they met and to slay those who took refuge in their houses. There was a massacre of young and old, a killing of women and children, a slaughter of virgins and infants. In the space of three days, eighty thousand were lost, forty thousand meeting a violent death, and the same number being sold into slavery. 2 Maccabees 5:11-14
What else needs to be said, he trampled many of the holy people to the ground, and just because the verse says “hosts” they assume that it is speaking of heavenly beings, but this is not true. The definition "hosts" clearly states otherwise…
1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
a) army, host
1) host (of organised army)
Antiochus fought relentlessly with the Maccabees, which was a rebel Jewish army. They were the ones that caused the rebellion, and those that redecated the temple of Solomon. The Maccabees were the “hosts” that were cast to the ground. You'll have to forgive me but, all of this should be really be followed by a resounding…”duh!”
So what else did Daniel see…
11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down.
Now watch this, this is where it really starts to get good. It says here, “he exalted himself as high as the prince of the host”. We’ve already been through this, did Antiochus Epiphanes call himself a god? We went through this in the last study, and we went through once already in this one…Epiphanes means “the manifest of god” and he gave this title to himself. He actually thought he was a god…
He assumed divine epithets, which no other Hellenistic king had done, such as Theos Epiphanes (Greek: ΘΕΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΗΣ mean "God Manifest") Wikipedia
This verse say’s something very important that needs to be brought to light...
The title “prince of the host” does not require to be capitalized here. This is not referring to the Messiah. The Messiah is known as “the Prince of the Covenant” and not “the prince of the host”. This title is for someone else. There is another prince, and this prince is here to stand watch over the Jewish people. He is the one that is known as the prince of the “hosts”…
1 “At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
Daniel 12
As you can see here in Daniel chapter 12, Michael the arch angel, is also known as a prince, he is the prince who stands watch over the Jewish people. Michael is the “prince of the hosts” and that is what is referred to here, not the Messiah. Why it is capitalized here I do not know, but there is no need. It is neither referring to YHWH, or His Son.
Look again at what Daniel had said…
11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down.
It says here that the temple would be “cast down”
So…does this mean destroyed?
The two words “cast down” are defined as one in Strong’s Concordance…
1) to fall
2) to fall (of violent death)
3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before
4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to , go away to, fall into the hand of
5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result
6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to
7) to lie, lie prostrate
Where here is the word destroy? I see fall a lot, and I see fall short …but not once do I see destroy.
1 “At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
Daniel 12
As you can see here in Daniel chapter 12, Michael the arch angel, is also known as a prince, he is the prince who stands watch over the Jewish people. Michael is the “prince of the hosts” and that is what is referred to here, not the Messiah. Why it is capitalized here I do not know, but there is no need. It is neither referring to YHWH, or His Son.
Look again at what Daniel had said…
11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down.
It says here that the temple would be “cast down”
So…does this mean destroyed?
The two words “cast down” are defined as one in Strong’s Concordance…
1) to fall
2) to fall (of violent death)
3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before
4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to , go away to, fall into the hand of
5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result
6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to
7) to lie, lie prostrate
Where here is the word destroy? I see fall a lot, and I see fall short …but not once do I see destroy.
So, did the temple of Solomon fall, or fail during the time of Antiochus IV?
As long as he was occupied with preparations for his expedition against Egypt, Antiochus had no time for Palestine; but when the Romans compelled him to forego his plans of conquest, his rage at the unexpected impediment was wreaked upon the innocent Jews. An officer, Apollonius, was sent through the country with an armed troop, commissioned to slay and destroy. He first entered Jerusalem amicably; then suddenly turning upon the defenseless city, he murdered, plundered, and burnt through its length and breadth. The men were butchered, women and children sold into slavery, and in order to give permanence to the work of desolation, the walls and numerous houses were torn down. The old City of David was fortified anew by the Syrians, and made into a very strong fortress completely dominating the city. Having thus made Jerusalem a Greek colony, the king's attention was next turned to the destruction of the national religion. A royal decree proclaimed the abolition of the Jewish mode of worship; Sabbaths and festivals were not to be observed; circumcision was not to be performed; the sacred books were to be surrendered and the Jews were compelled to offer sacrifices to the idols that had been erected. The officers charged with carrying out these commands did so with great rigor; a veritable inquisition was established with monthly sessions for investigation. The possession of a sacred book or the performance of the rite of circumcision was punished with death. On Kislew (Nov.-Dec.) 25, 168, the "abomination of desolation" (, Dan. xi. 31, xii. 11) was set up on the altar of burnt offering in the Temple, and the Jews required to make obeisance to it. This was probably the Olympian Zeus, or Baal Shamem.
Jewish Encyclopedia
So it wasn’t destroyed by Aniochus, but rather “transgressed” by the dedication of it to Zeus.
12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. Daniel 11
We just read that in the Jewish encyclopedia, didn’t we? This whole thing fits Antiochus IV perfectly. Forgive my speech for those with weak constitutions but, why and the hell do the current teachers say that all this is talking about anything other than this arrogant king? The reason? Because they don’t want you to know there are two “little horns”…they want you to think there is only one.
Jewish Encyclopedia
So it wasn’t destroyed by Aniochus, but rather “transgressed” by the dedication of it to Zeus.
12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. Daniel 11
We just read that in the Jewish encyclopedia, didn’t we? This whole thing fits Antiochus IV perfectly. Forgive my speech for those with weak constitutions but, why and the hell do the current teachers say that all this is talking about anything other than this arrogant king? The reason? Because they don’t want you to know there are two “little horns”…they want you to think there is only one.
Do you remember the “little horn” in Daniel chapter 7?
The “little horn” that rose out of the Roman empire? It rose up out of 10 horns? This “little horn” we are talking about here doesn’t rise from 10, it rises up out of 4 horns...and the two are not the same, in no way, shape or form. But they (i.e foolish teachers) don’t want you to see that, because if you do, then you will understand what the whole vision is about. One horn that rises out of 4 refers to Antiochus IV, because Antiochus rose up out of the 4 generals of Alexander the great, and the other horn that rises out of 10, are the 10 districts of Rome, and the “little horn” that rises up from them, is the Roman catholic church. This they don’t want you to see. Because if you can understand that, then you will realize that Antiochus Epiphanes is not the focus of Daniels prophesies, the catholic church is. Antiochus is dead and gone, but the catholic church is still alive and well this very day, and this is the reason for all of Daniels visions…to expose the beast. To expose the Roman catholic church.
Lets continue…
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”
14 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”
This is where all the confusion is caused. 99.9% of all seminary interpretations say that this is referring to 2300 years, but the verses don’t say years, it says days.
Verse 13 says,” How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”
As you can see, it says nothing about a destruction of the temple, it says “transgression” and, it also says that the “sanctuary” and the “host,” will be trampled underfoot. Now watch verse 14...
14 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”
Lets continue…
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”
14 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”
This is where all the confusion is caused. 99.9% of all seminary interpretations say that this is referring to 2300 years, but the verses don’t say years, it says days.
Verse 13 says,” How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”
As you can see, it says nothing about a destruction of the temple, it says “transgression” and, it also says that the “sanctuary” and the “host,” will be trampled underfoot. Now watch verse 14...
14 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.”
If the temple was destroyed, how then can it be cleansed?
We have seen that everything that Daniel had seen directly related itself to Antiochus Epiphanes in every single way. Now we see that the “sanctuary” and the “host” will be trampled underfoot for 2300 days. We have already determined that the “host” refers to an army, and we also know that the “sanctuary” refers to the temple of Solomon. Because during this time, the Jewish people were still following the Mosaic law rituals. We have read that Antiochus IV attacked the Jewish people and many of them were killed. We have also seen that Antiochus sent in an army in Jerusalem to enforce his decree, and through force the Jews were not allowed to continue their rituals under penalty of death.
Not long after this the king sent an Athenian senator to force the Jews to abandon the customs of their ancestors and live no longer by the laws of God; also to profane the temple in Jerusalem and dedicate it to Olympian Zeus, and that on Mount Gerizim to Zeus the Hospitable, as the inhabitants of the place requested...They also brought into the temple things that were forbidden, so that the altar was covered with abominable offerings prohibited by the laws.
2 Maccabees 6
The temple was dishonored by what Antiochus had done, because not only did he set up a statue of Zeus, but he also sacrificed unclean animals on the alter. The temple was “transgressed”, and the “host” was trampled.
Not long after this the king sent an Athenian senator to force the Jews to abandon the customs of their ancestors and live no longer by the laws of God; also to profane the temple in Jerusalem and dedicate it to Olympian Zeus, and that on Mount Gerizim to Zeus the Hospitable, as the inhabitants of the place requested...They also brought into the temple things that were forbidden, so that the altar was covered with abominable offerings prohibited by the laws.
2 Maccabees 6
The temple was dishonored by what Antiochus had done, because not only did he set up a statue of Zeus, but he also sacrificed unclean animals on the alter. The temple was “transgressed”, and the “host” was trampled.
But the million dollar question is…how long did this last? Did it last for 2300 days?
The Jews themselves afforded Antiochus the first opportunity to interfere in their domestic affairs. The struggle of the Tobiads against the high priest Onias III., originally a personal matter, gradually assumed a religio-political phase. The conservatives siding with the legitimate high priest approached the king of Egypt; for they relied more on that monarch than on Antiochus, sometimes nick-named 'Επιμανής (madman), while the Tobiads well understood that Antiochus' favor was to be purchased with gold. The Tobiads caused the deposition of Onias (173), and the appointment of their own partizan, Jason. In order to ingratiate himself with the king, this new high priest established an arena for public games close by the Temple. But the king cared very much more for gold than for the Hellenizing of Palestine, and a certain Menelaus made use of the fact so shrewdly that he received the high-priesthood in place of Jason, in the year 171. But when false tidings came to Jerusalem that Antiochus had died on a campaign in Egypt, Menelaus could not maintain himself in the city, and together with the Tobiads fled to Egypt. On his return homeward, Antiochus came to Jerusalem to reinstate Menelaus, and then the true character of the Hellenism that Antiochus desired was revealed to the Jews. He entered the Temple precincts, not out of curiosity, but to plunder the treasury, and carried away valuable utensils, such as the golden candlestick upon the altar and the showbread table, likewise of gold.
Jewish Encyclopedia
Did you catch the dates? The most important date to remember here is the year 171BC…
The more traditional Jews were having difficulties maintaining their status because of a strong movement toward Hellenism. The Tobiads, who were the Hellenistic Jews, included Antiochus IV into their affairs by bribing Antiochus with gold to allow them to overthrow the current traditional priest named Onias III. With the blessing of Antiochus, they overthrew the priest Onias, and replaced him with a less traditional priest named Jason, who even went as far as to build a arena close to Solomon’s temple so they could hold public games. Which is something the more traditional Jews would have nothing to do with.
Then…
After this had happened, a man named Menelaus bribed Antiochus IV with even more gold, and…with the blessing AGAIN by Antiochus, deposed Jason, and took the title of priest for himself.
Then…
While Antiochus was off fighting with the Ptolemy’s “the mighty people” a rumor had surfaced that Antiochus IV was killed in battle. When the traditional Jews found out about it, they revolted and the Tobiads and Menelaus got the hell out of Dodge, so to speak…
And then…
While Antiochus was invading Egypt, a Roman emissary confronted him and told him to cease or face going to war with Rome. Antiochus asked for time to consider the proposal, and the Roman emissary drew a circle around Antiochus and told him…”I will have an answer to give to the senate before you step outside the circle” (which is where we get the term, “line in the sand”) Antiochus had to put his “majestic” tail between his legs and stop the invasion of Egypt. Which as you would imagine, completely embarrassed the illustrious Antiochus Epiphanes, and when he returned to Judea, took all of his aggressions out on the Jewish people for revolting against the Tobiad’s and Menelaus.
Then, finally…
After a long series of battles against the Maccabees “the host,” Antiochus had lost his hold over the temple, and in 165BC, the Maccabees rededicated the temple, and the “sanctuary” was cleansed.
From the time that Menelaus had replaced Jason as priest in 171BC by order of Antiochus, until the “cleansing” of the temple with the rededication by the Maccabees in 165BC is 6 years.
Now…
All ancient wars (especially big ones) were usually started in the spring, and…seeing that Antiochus was still at his residence when he was bribed by Menelaus, this bribing had to take place sometime in the early spring of 171BC. The Jewish people celebrate Hanukah on 25th day of Kislev, which…in relation to the Gregorian calendar works out to late November, early December. 2300 days, according to a 360 day year (Jewish calendar) works out to about 6 years 140 days. On the catholic (Gregorian calendar) its a 365 day year, which works out to 6 years 110 days. But remember, a day is still one day regardless which calendar you choose, which is the beautiful part of this prophesy. The date really cant be argued, it is simply 2300 days, no more, no less.
Menelaus replaced Jason in 171BC, and the temple was cleansed in 165BC…that’s 6 years. What do you think the chances are that it took 2300 days from the time Antiochus Epiphanes put Menelaus in as priest, until the Maccabees finished the “cleansing” and rededication of the temple?
If you ask me…Im going to have to say the chances are 100% or greater.
None of this matters anyway, Gabriel tells us exactly what happened in Daniel chapter 11. So to be honest with you, all of this speculation was a complete waist of time. But speculating wasn’t the point here, the point was to show you, that if you leave the bible alone and add nothing to it, such as our opinions…
…everything always works out perfectly.
Jewish Encyclopedia
Did you catch the dates? The most important date to remember here is the year 171BC…
The more traditional Jews were having difficulties maintaining their status because of a strong movement toward Hellenism. The Tobiads, who were the Hellenistic Jews, included Antiochus IV into their affairs by bribing Antiochus with gold to allow them to overthrow the current traditional priest named Onias III. With the blessing of Antiochus, they overthrew the priest Onias, and replaced him with a less traditional priest named Jason, who even went as far as to build a arena close to Solomon’s temple so they could hold public games. Which is something the more traditional Jews would have nothing to do with.
Then…
After this had happened, a man named Menelaus bribed Antiochus IV with even more gold, and…with the blessing AGAIN by Antiochus, deposed Jason, and took the title of priest for himself.
Then…
While Antiochus was off fighting with the Ptolemy’s “the mighty people” a rumor had surfaced that Antiochus IV was killed in battle. When the traditional Jews found out about it, they revolted and the Tobiads and Menelaus got the hell out of Dodge, so to speak…
And then…
While Antiochus was invading Egypt, a Roman emissary confronted him and told him to cease or face going to war with Rome. Antiochus asked for time to consider the proposal, and the Roman emissary drew a circle around Antiochus and told him…”I will have an answer to give to the senate before you step outside the circle” (which is where we get the term, “line in the sand”) Antiochus had to put his “majestic” tail between his legs and stop the invasion of Egypt. Which as you would imagine, completely embarrassed the illustrious Antiochus Epiphanes, and when he returned to Judea, took all of his aggressions out on the Jewish people for revolting against the Tobiad’s and Menelaus.
Then, finally…
After a long series of battles against the Maccabees “the host,” Antiochus had lost his hold over the temple, and in 165BC, the Maccabees rededicated the temple, and the “sanctuary” was cleansed.
From the time that Menelaus had replaced Jason as priest in 171BC by order of Antiochus, until the “cleansing” of the temple with the rededication by the Maccabees in 165BC is 6 years.
Now…
All ancient wars (especially big ones) were usually started in the spring, and…seeing that Antiochus was still at his residence when he was bribed by Menelaus, this bribing had to take place sometime in the early spring of 171BC. The Jewish people celebrate Hanukah on 25th day of Kislev, which…in relation to the Gregorian calendar works out to late November, early December. 2300 days, according to a 360 day year (Jewish calendar) works out to about 6 years 140 days. On the catholic (Gregorian calendar) its a 365 day year, which works out to 6 years 110 days. But remember, a day is still one day regardless which calendar you choose, which is the beautiful part of this prophesy. The date really cant be argued, it is simply 2300 days, no more, no less.
Menelaus replaced Jason in 171BC, and the temple was cleansed in 165BC…that’s 6 years. What do you think the chances are that it took 2300 days from the time Antiochus Epiphanes put Menelaus in as priest, until the Maccabees finished the “cleansing” and rededication of the temple?
If you ask me…Im going to have to say the chances are 100% or greater.
None of this matters anyway, Gabriel tells us exactly what happened in Daniel chapter 11. So to be honest with you, all of this speculation was a complete waist of time. But speculating wasn’t the point here, the point was to show you, that if you leave the bible alone and add nothing to it, such as our opinions…
…everything always works out perfectly.