Welcome to
Bible Picture Pathways

There is a lot of discussion over what the real meaning of the "Daily' is that is referred to in the prophecies of Daniel.

One side claims that the "Daily" is "Christ's daily ministry in the sanctuary in heaven." The other side claims that the "Daily" is the "self-exalting characteristics of paganism." So which is the correct view? 

As you can see, this is an important question - because one view claims that the "Daily" is a Godly power, but the other view claims that it is a Satanic power.

If you look up each of the texts in Strong's concordance, and just use the meanings listed, it gives a pretty accurate description of what the "Daily" is!

The Daily 

Yellow = meanings of words from Strong’s Concordance

Gray = Paraphrase of text from word meanings

Dan 8:11  Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, [a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of]****** [to stretch; properly continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially constantly); elliptically the regular (daily) sacrifice: -  alway (-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, ([n-]) ever (-more), perpetual.]*****[to be high actively to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively): - bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty,]*****[a fixture, that is, a basis; generally a place, especially as an abode: - foundation, habitation, (dwelling-, settled) place.] *****[a consecrated thing or place, especially a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of idols) or asylum: - chapel, hallowed part, holy place, sanctuary.]*****[to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)]

Out of the continual exalting of self, the basis or foundation of the consecrated thing was thrown out

Dan 8:12  ***[a mass of persons (or figurative things), especially regularly organized for war (an army); by implication a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically hardship, worship): - appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war (-fare).]*****[to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.): - add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign,]*****[above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) above, according to (-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through (-out), to, touching, X with.]*****[to stretch; properly continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially constantly); elliptically the regular (daily) sacrifice: -  alway (-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, ([n-]) ever (-more), perpetual.]*****[a revolt (national, moral or religious): - rebellion, sin, transgression, trespassive]*****[to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively): - adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off, out), hurl, pluck, throw.]*****[stability; figuratively certainty, truth, trustworthiness: - assured (-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.]*****[to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land): -  X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X nations, way, + wilderness, world.]*****[to do or make,]*****[to push forward, in various senses (literally or figuratively, transitively or intransitively): - break out, come (mightily), go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper (-ity, -ous, -ously).]

A mass of people give and apply their effort through  continual rebellion and sin to cast away truth in the earth and make effort to push forward and prosper

Dan 8:13  Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, ***[as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)] [to extend; properly extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particles prefixed), when (either relative or interrogitive): - long, when.]*****[a sight (mentally), that is, a dream, revelation, or oracle: - vision.]*****[to stretch; properly continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially constantly); elliptically the regular (daily) sacrifice: -  alway (-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, ([n-]) ever (-more), perpetual.]*****[a revolt (national, moral or religious): - rebellion, sin, transgression, trespassive]***[to stun (or intransitively grow numb), that is, devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense): - make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish (-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate (-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder.]*****[to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.): - add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign]*****[a sacred place or thing; rarely abstractly sanctity: - consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (X most) holy (X day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.]*****[a mass of persons (or figurative things), especially regularly organized for war (an army); by implication a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically hardship, worship): - appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war (-fare).]*****[abasement (the act or the thing): - tread (down) -ing, (to be) trodden (down) under foot.]

Length of time or degree is the revelation or vision of this continual rebellion and sin that makes them grow numb and stupefies and destroys them, and makes the consecrated mass of persons an abasement

Dan 8:14  And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

Dan 12:11  And from the time^{H4480 H6256} that the daily [From an unused root meaning to stretch; properly continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially constantly); elliptically the regular (daily) sacrifice: -  alway (-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, ([n-]) ever (-more), perpetual ] shall be taken away [A primitive root; to turn off (literally or figuratively): - be [-head], bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get [you], go (aside), X grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, X be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without.] and the abomination [From H8262; disgusting, that is, filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol: - abominable filth (idol, -ation), detestable (thing).]  that maketh desolate [A primitive root; to stun (or intransitively grow numb), that is, devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense): - make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish (-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate (-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder.] set up [A primitive root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.): - add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, X avenge, X be ([healed]), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit consider, count, + cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute do, X doubtless, X without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up). + sing, + slander, strike, [sub-] mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, + weep, X willingly, + withdraw, + would (to) God, yield.] there shall be a thousand^H505 two hundred^H3967 and ninety^H8673 days.^H3117

The part of time the continual turning away or rebellion of filthy idolatry that makes to grow numb, stupefies, and destroys is given to occupy is 1290 days

Just by comparing these texts, we can see that the "Daily" is linked with "turning away", "rebellion", "idolatry", "self-exaltation", and "sin". This fits the "paganism" definition best!

******************

Some like to use Sister White's quote in Early Writings to try to discredit the correct view of the Daily.

But you can learn some interesting information when you track that quote back to its original source. You find that it has gradually changed over the years.

Changing the “Daily”

A progression of how the original statements by Sister White have been combined and changed through the years. (Different colors show 4 different paragraphs – hence 4 different thoughts – in the original)

1850 (Original)

“September 23d, the Lord showed me that he had stretched out his hand the second time to recover the remnant of his people, and that efforts must be redoubled in this gathering time. In the scattering time Israel was smitten and torn; but now in the gathering time God will heal and bind up his people. In the scattering, efforts made to spread the truth had but little effect, accomplished but little or nothing; but in the gathering when God has set his hand to gather his people, efforts to spread the truth will have their designed effect. All should be united and zealous in the work. I saw that it was a shame for any to refer to the scattering for examples to govern us now in the gathering; for if God does no more for us now than he did then, Israel would never be gathered. It is as necessary that the truth should be published in a paper, as preached.  {RH, November 1, 1850 par. 9} 

     The Lord showed me that the 1843 chart was directed by his hand, and that no part of it should be altered; that the figures were as he wanted them. That his hand was over and hid a mistake in some of the figures, so that none could see it, until his hand was removed.  {RH, November 1, 1850 par. 10} 

     Then I saw in relation to the "Daily," that the word "sacrifice" was supplied by man's wisdom, and does not belong to the text; and that the Lord gave the correct view of it to those who gave the judgment hour cry. When union existed, before 1844, nearly all were united on the correct view of the "Daily;" but since 1844, in the confusion, other views have been embraced, and darkness and confusion has followed.  {RH, November 1, 1850 par. 11} 

     The Lord showed me that Time had not been a test since 1844, and that time will never again be a test.”  {RH, November 1, 1850 par. 12} 

1851

September 23d, the Lord shewed me that he had stretched out his hand the second time to recover the remnant of his people, and that efforts must be redoubled in this gathering time. In the scattering, Israel was smitten and torn; but now in the gathering time God will heal and bind up his people. In the scattering, efforts made to spread the truth had but little effect, accomplished but little or nothing; but in the gathering, when God has set his hand to gather his people, efforts to spread the truth will have their designed effect. All should be united and zealous in the work. I saw that it was wrong for any to refer to the scattering for examples to govern us now in the gathering; for if God does no more for us now than he did then, Israel would never be gathered. I have seen that the 1843 chart was directed by the hand of the Lord, and that it should not be altered; that the figures were as he wanted them. That his hand was over, and hid a mistake in some of the figures, so that none could see it, until his hand was removed.  {ExV 61.1}

     Then I saw in relation to the “Daily,” that the word “sacrifice” was supplied by man's wisdom, and does not belong to the text; and that the Lord gave the correct view of it to those who gave the judgment hour cry. When union existed, before 1844, nearly all were united on the correct view of the “Daily;” but since 1844, in the confusion, other views have been embraced, and darkness and confusion have followed. I have also seen that time had not been a test since 1844, and that time will never again be a test.”  {ExV 61.2}

1882

“September 23, the Lord showed me that He had stretched out His hand the second time to recover the remnant of His people, [SEE PAGE 86.] and that efforts must be redoubled in this gathering time. In the scattering, Israel was smitten and torn, but now in the gathering time God will heal and bind up His people. In the scattering, efforts made to spread the truth had but little effect, accomplished but little or nothing; but in the gathering, when God has set His hand to gather His people, efforts to spread the truth will have their designed effect. All should be united and zealous in the work. I saw that it was wrong for any to refer to the scattering for examples to govern us now in the gathering; for if God should do no more for us now than He did then, Israel would never be gathered. I have seen that the 1843 chart was directed by the hand of the Lord, and that it should not be altered; that the figures were as He wanted them; that His hand was over and hid a mistake in some of the figures, so that none could see it, until His hand was removed. [THIS APPLIES TO THE CHART USED DURING THE 1843 MOVEMENT, AND HAS SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE CALCULATION OF THE PROPHETIC PERIODS AS IT APPEARED ON THAT CHART. THE NEXT SENTENCE EXPLAINS THAT THERE WAS AN INACCURACY WHICH IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD WAS SUFFERED TO EXIST. BUT THIS DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE PUBLICATION OF A CHART SUBSEQUENTLY WHICH WOULD CORRECT THE MISTAKE, AFTER THE 1843 MOVEMENT WAS PAST, AND THE CALCULATION AS THEN MADE HAD SERVED ITS PURPOSE.]  {EW 74.1}

     Then I saw in relation to the "daily" (Daniel 8:12) that the word "sacrifice" was supplied by man's wisdom, and does not belong to the text, and that the Lord gave the correct view of it to those who gave the judgment hour cry. When union existed, before 1844, nearly all were united on the correct view of the "daily"; but in the confusion since 1844, other views have been embraced, and darkness and confusion have followed. Time has not been a test since 1844, and it will never again be a test.”  {EW 74.2}  

*****************

One of the major disagreements of the current situation is over the correct view of the “daily”.

Some are saying that if you hold the wrong view of the daily, it is a salvational matter, while those who are opposed to that statement, claim that the daily is not a test question - while they continue to push the wrong view of it.

It should be pointed out that a person should not use one quote from Sister White to try to disqualify another statement by her. The prophets do not contradict each other – or themselves!

Those who are promoting the incorrect view and fighting the view of the daily as paganism, like to use statements like:

“Confusion has resulted, and the minds of some of our brethren have been diverted from the thoughtful consideration that should have been given to the work that the Lord has directed should be done at this time in our cities. This has been pleasing to the great enemy of our work.” 1 SM 167

As you can tell, this statement has been taken out of context, so let’s look at the whole thing.

“I have words to speak to . . . all who have been active in urging their views in regard to the meaning of "the daily" of Daniel 8. This is not to be made a test question, and the agitation that has resulted from its being treated as such has been very unfortunate. Confusion has resulted, and the minds of some of our brethren have been diverted from the thoughtful consideration that should have been given to the work that the Lord has directed should be done at this time in our cities. This has been pleasing to the great enemy of our work. The light given me is that nothing should be done to increase the agitation upon this question. Let it not be brought into our discourses, and dwelt upon as a matter of great importance. We have a great work before us, and we have not an hour to lose from the essential work to be done. Let us confine our public efforts to the presentation of the important lines of truth on which we are united, and on which we have clear light.  I would bring to your attention the last prayer of Christ, as recorded in John 17. There are many subjects upon which we can speak--sacred, testing truths, beautiful in their simplicity. On these you may dwell with intense earnestness. But let not "the daily," or any other subject that will arouse controversy among brethren, be brought in at this time; for this will delay and hinder the work that the Lord would have the minds of our brethren centered upon just now. Let us not agitate questions that will reveal a marked difference of opinion, but rather let us bring from the Word the sacred truths regarding the binding claims of the law of God.”  1SM 167

This statement, taken just by itself, reveals that the daily was not to be a test question AT THAT TIME.

But there is more to this question. Another statement that they like to use is this one:

“It has been presented to me that this is not a subject of vital importance. I am instructed that our brethren are making a mistake in magnifying the importance of the difference in the views that are held. I cannot consent that any of my writings shall be taken as settling this matter. The true meaning of “the daily” is not to be made a test question. I now ask that my ministering brethren shall not make use of my writings in their arguments regarding this question [“the daily”]; for I have had no instruction on the point under discussion, and I see no need for the controversy. Regarding this matter under present conditions, silence is eloquence. The enemy of our work is pleased when a subject of minor importance can be used to divert the minds of our brethren from the great questions that should be the burden of our message. As this is not a test question, I entreat of my brethren that they shall not allow the enemy to triumph by having it treated as such.” 1 SM 164

Here again, lets look at the context. There is more to this quote found in Notebook Leaflets #2 :

“I have words to speak to my brethren east and west, north and south. I request that my writings shall not be used as the leading argument to settle questions over which there is now so much controversy. I entreat of Elders -----, -----, -----, and others of our leading brethren, that they make no reference to my writings to sustain their views of "the daily."  It has been presented to me that this is not a subject of vital importance. I am instructed that our brethren are making a mistake in magnifying the importance of the difference in the views that are held. I can not consent that any of my writings shall be taken as settling this matter. The true meaning of "the daily" is not to be made a test question.  {2NL 159.3} 

     I now ask that my ministering brethren shall not make use of my writings in their arguments regarding this question ["the daily"]; for I have had no instruction on the point under discussion, and I see no need for the controversy. Regarding this matter under present conditions, silence is eloquence.  The enemy of our work is pleased when a subject of minor importance can be used to divert the minds of our brethren from the great questions that should be the burden of our message. As this is not a test question, I entreat of my brethren that they shall not allow the enemy to triumph by having it treated as such.  The work that the Lord has given us at this time is to present to the people the true light in regard to the testing questions of obedience and salvation,--the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.”  2NL 159

So what is going on here? Let’s look at some other quotes on this topic.

“Yes, it would, but while their minds were thus absorbed I was shown that Brother Daniells and Brother Prescott were weaving into their experience sentiments of a spiritualistic appearance and drawing our people to beautiful sentiments that would deceive, if possible, the very elect. I have to trace with my pen [the fact] that these brethren would see defects in their delusive ideas that would place the truth in an uncertainty; and [yet] they [would] stand out as [if they had] great spiritual discernment. Now I am to tell them [that] when I was shown this matter, when Elder Daniells was lifting up his voice like a trumpet in advocating his ideas of the "Daily," the after results were presented. Our people were becoming confused. I saw the result, and then there were given me cautions that if Elder Daniells without respect to the outcome should thus be impressed and let himself believe he was under the inspiration of God, skepticism would be sown among our ranks everywhere, and we should be where Satan would carry his messages. Set unbelief and skepticism would be sown in human minds, and strange crops of evil would take the place of truth.--Ms 67, 1910, pp. 1-8.” 20MR 21

“Then I saw in relation to the "Daily," that the word "sacrifice" was supplied by man's wisdom, and does not belong to the text; and that the Lord gave the correct view of it to those who gave the judgment hour cry. When union existed, before 1844, nearly all were united on the correct view of the "Daily;" but since 1844, in the confusion, other views have been embraced, and darkness and confusion has followed.”  RH, November 1, 1850

If you look at the teachings of those who gave the judgment hour cry, they all teach that the daily was paganism. She says that was the CORRECT view, and that it was given by God himself.

However, after 1844 some started promoting the idea that the daily was Christ’s ministry in the sanctuary. This view was what Elder Daniells was strongly promoting  and she referred to him “advocating HIS IDEAS”. This view of the daily, she specifically said, caused confusion, darkness, and skepticism.

The argument about the daily had gotten so heated, that many of these people were distracted from preaching the message, and were spending all their time and resources promoting their false  understanding of the daily.

Those who are still fighting this message are using quotes from this set of circumstances to say that the daily is not a test question – but it is their refusal to believe the clear counsel of sister White showing that the daily IS paganism, that is making the daily a test question. To those who believe in the pioneer understanding of the daily – it is not a test question.

In school, are the questions on the test – a test for the student or the teacher? It is only a test for the student who either doesn’t know, is just learning, or refuses to accept the correct answer. The teacher knows  and believes the correct answer – therefore it is not a test for him.

If you are going to take your driving test to get your driver’s license, and you are driving down the highway with the instructor riding with you, and he tells you, “Do not let your tires touch the white line.” – What are you supposed to do when you come up behind a slow moving farm tractor? Is the color of the center line a test question? No, it is not! But if you have the wrong view of the color of the center line, will you pass the real test question? No! Because your understanding of that line’s color will affect your reactions to your driving situation.

It is the same with the “daily”. If you have the correct view that the daily is paganism (a Satanic power), you see order and continuity in the prophecies. But if you take the opposite view, that the daily is referring to Christ ministry in the sanctuary (a Godly power), then you suddenly have confusion – the time prophecies that you used to understand, take on confusing aspects. Dates that used to be well grounded, no longer can be identified.

What is it called when you take something that really applies to Satan and attribute it to God or visa-versa?

“Notwithstanding they had had the most convincing evidence of God's displeasure at their course, in the destruction of the men who had deceived them, they dared to attribute His judgments to Satan, declaring that through the power of the evil one, Moses and Aaron had caused the death of good and holy men. It was this act that sealed their doom. They had committed the sin against the Holy Spirit, a sin by which man's heart is effectually hardened against the influence of divine grace. "Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man," said Christ, "it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him." Matthew 12:32. These words were spoken by our Saviour when the gracious works which He had performed through the power of God were attributed by the Jews to Beelzebub. It is through the agency of the Holy Spirit that God communicates with man; and those who deliberately reject this agency as satanic, have cut off the channel of communication between the soul and Heaven.”  PP 404

Isa 5:20-24  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!...Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

2Th 2:10-12  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Rev 22:15  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.