That "scale" proves the 2300 "Days" = "Years"

"THE eighth chapter of Daniel is a prophecy of wonderful interest; for it gives the prophetic history of the world from the rise of the Persian Empire till the final destruction of all earthly kingdoms by the God of Heaven. 

The succession of earthly empires was presented to the prophet under the symbols of a ram, a goat, and a little horn that became exceeding great. 

And when these had been shown to him, he was told by the angel

Gabriel that the ram represented the kingdom of Media and Persia; and that the goat was the kingdom of Grecia; and the horn which became exceeding great, though not called by name, was identified by several decisive facts, among which are these: That it should be the great destroyer of the people of God, and that it should put to death the Prince of princes. 

*These facts show that the Roman power is intended. 

In connection with these symbols which represent the great empires that have since arisen, the prophet learned the duration of his vision. For he heard Gabriel ask Michael, “How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And Michael, who answered the question to Daniel, said: “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Verses 13,14. 

*Now, it is plain that the period of twenty-three hundred days cannot be understood to mean so many literal days; for this would not make quite seven years and would cover only a very small part of the duration of one of the three great empires of this vision. 

---But we should remember that in this vision the great empires of the world are represented by symbols, and thus are given on a scale which brings them distinctly before the eye of the observer. 

It is necessary that the time should be given on a scale that corresponds with this in order not to involve an absurdity. For the Persian, Grecian, and Roman Empires have in all continued between 2000 and 3000 years. 

Now when these empires were represented by beasts, if the time that the empires were to continue was given without a corresponding abatement, then we should have these beasts living a thousand years apiece! This would be absurd. But it would not be absurd to represent them as living and acting that number of days. The days must therefore represent longer periods of time. 

If we compare spiritual things with spiritual, we shall find the key to the interpretation of these days. For the different inspired writers were all led by the same Spirit of truth. They were like so many workmen engaged in building a temple. 

If we can find the rule which governed one of them, we shall find that same rule governing all the rest in like circumstances. 

*Now God gave this rule to Ezekiel in the interpretation of the symbols of his own vision: “I have appointed thee each day for a year.” Eze.4:6." 

J.N. Andrews

That Calculated Question

"The concurrent testimony of all the Scriptures, and the corroborative evidence of the signs of the times, formed a fortress of truth of impregnable strength.....suddenly we find suspended over and across the way a banner with this remarkable inscription:- UNTO TWO THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED DAYS; THEN SHALL THE SANCTUARY BE CLEANSED. Daniel 8:14.

Raising the inquiry, why and by whom these words were spoken, we

find they were called out by a conversation between two of the angels of God. And the question raised by one was answered by the other, not to the speaker, but to the prophet Daniel. 

 

The question was, "How long shall be the vision concerning the
daily sacrifice and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?" 

And in answer, the angel turning to Daniel said, "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." 

 
The question is one which is calculated to enlist our whole attention." Uriah Smith

The 70 Weeks & 2300 Days (Years)

"While I was speaking in prayer," says he, [Dan. chapter 9, 20-23], "even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at

the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me and talked with me, and said, O, Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved; therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city," etc.

That this is a continuation of the explanation of the vision of chapter viii, would seem sufficiently evident without the aid of any special argument to prove it so. 

 

But as there is a vital point that hinges upon this fact, we will offer a few reasons which place it beyond the limits of contradiction.

1. Gabriel had received a charge [chapter 8, 16], to make Daniel understand the vision; but at the end of the chapter, Daniel says he was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. Gabriel therefore did not complete his mission in chapter 8; the charge still rested upon him, Make this man to understand the vision.


2. The being who came to Daniel at the time of the supplication, was the very same who had appeared to him in the vision at the beginning; namely, Gabriel. And that he had now come to
   
   undeceive him concerning his application of the time, is evident in that he says, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. Why did he not give him a full understanding of the vision at first? We answer, because he revealed to him all that he was then able to bear. He fainted and was sick certain days.


3. Direct reference is made to the vision at the beginning. And if that is not the vision of chapter viii, it is impossible to find it. And again, if Gabriel does not explain in chapter ix, what he omitted in chapter viii, it is impossible for any man to show wherein Gabriel fulfilled his commission to make this man understand the vision.


4. When Gabriel commenced his further explanation, he did not explain the symbol of the ram; for that he had already explained. He did not explain the goat; for he had likewise explained that.
   
   Neither did he commence about the little horn; for he had made that plain also in chapter viii. What then did he explain? The very point there omitted; namely, the time: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, etc. These facts are sufficient to show the connection of Dan.ix with the vision of chapter viii. But how do the words of Gabriel, Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people etc., explain the period of the 2300 days? The answer is, The word rendered determined, signifies literally, cut off. Gesenius, in his Hebrew Lexicon, thus defines it: Properly, to cut off; tropically, to divide, and so to determine, to decree. The Englishman's Hebrew Concordance says, Determined, literally divided. From what period are the seventy weeks divided, or cut off ? From the 2300 days; for there is no other period given from which they can be taken; and this is placed beyond a doubt by the connection of the two chapters, which has already been proved.

Having now ascertained that the 70 weeks of Dan. 9 are the first 490 years of the 2300 days, and that consequently the two periods commence together, we further learn that this period of weeks dates from the going forth of a commandment to restore and build Jerusalem. Dan. 9,25. If then we can definitely locate this commandment, we have the starting point for the great period of the 2300 years. The Bible furnishes us with four tests by which to determine when the true date is found:

1. From the time of the commandment, 49 years were to witness the completion of the street and wall of Jerusalem. Dan.ix,25


2. Threescore and two weeks from this time, or, in all, 69 weeks,
   
   483 years, were to extend to Messiah the Prince.


3. Sixty-nine and a half weeks were to extend to the crucifixion - the cessation of sacrifice and oblation in the midst of the week. Verse 27.


4. The full period of 70 weeks was to witness the complete confirmation of the covenant with Daniel's people. In the seventh of Ezra, we find the decree for which we seek. It went forth in B.C. 457. Much concerning this decree, and the date of its promulgation, might here be said. But a more full explanation of it may more properly be given in another place. I will say, however, that, admitting that B.C. 457, is the correct date for the commencement of the 2300 years, which is susceptible of the clearest proof, ....that this prophetic period would close in the year 1843.

From              2300 
Take               457
                 ------
And there remains 1843." Uriah Smith