Revelation A to Z - Part L - Satan’s fall
Cleansing the sanctuary

As in school we have learned simple things first and gradually were progressing to more difficult, so it is with spiritual things, particularly with understanding God’s end time plans and purposes. For your own benefit, it is imperative that all “From A to Z - Revelation Made Plain” topics or posts would be read and studied in their chronological order, starting with “Part A” and progressing in alphabetical order. This way, your understanding of Revelation prophecies will progress from simple to more complex. Every week new part will be posted till complete understanding of Revelation is obtained.
This presentation is not affiliated with any church denomination or any Ministries.



Part L:

There is no reason for mankind to remain ignorant in regard to when the end is coming
THE TIME HAS BEEN APPOINTED
In the layout of the temple and in the Bible Prophecies

In the previous posts, we have gained fairly clear understanding of events Bible portrays, that are coming on this earth. So far we have learned how the beginning of the end starts or how the birth pains commence. From the time-plan concealed in the layout of the Jewish temple, we have realized, that already for a few years we are living on a "borrowed time". For several years we are living in the transition period and so far nothing major is happening. Presently, we are truly in the time of delay.
In this post we will investigate, if the Bible prophecies contain some other time elements, which would point to us independently of the time plan concealed in the layout of the temple, when the end time prophecies will expire. This way, we would have two independent Biblical sources of events-dating to rely on, rather than only one. Does the Bible provide to us such an information?

When Daniel received the second vision concerning events in the time of the end (written for us in Daniel ch.8), in the middle of the vision he hears someone asking, how long it will take for the vision to be fulfilled.
Dan.8:13: "Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, "How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled - the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host that will be trampled underfoot?"
We see that this 'holy one' is actually asking a lot more questions, than only one. The main question is how long for the vision to be fulfilled. Then he brakes the question into specific segments. Let's separate them and look individually at each one:

1) How long will it take for the vision concerning the daily sacrifice?
2) How long will it take for the rebellion that causes desolation?
3) How long will it take for the surrender of the sanctuary?
4) How long will it take for the host to be trampled underfoot?

The angel (holy one) asked really four questions! However, the other 'holy one' gave only one answer:
Dan.8:14: He said to me, "It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated."
To which question did he supply the answer? And what about the remaining ones? Let's search the Bible and see if answers to all these questions are somewhere given.
Dan.12:11: "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination (rebellion) that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days."
We see, that the answer to the first two questions was given to Daniel in chapter 12. Therefore we can cross them out from our list. We are left with:

3) How long will it take for the surrender of the sanctuary?
4) How long will it take for the host to be trampled underfoot?

What kind of host does it refer to in question number 4? It speaks about the host of the saints.(Dan.8:12). The answer to the fourth segment of the question is given in:
Dan.7:25: "He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time."

time =one year; times = two years; and a half a time = half a year. Total 3 ½ years!

In Revelation we are told exactly the same thing.
Rev.13:5: "The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months."

Forty-two months = 1,260 days = 3 ½ years.

The fourth question is answered as well. The saints will be persecuted for 3 ½ years.

Finally we are left with only a single segment of the question unanswered:

3) How long will it take for the surrender of the sanctuary?

It is to this segment, the holy one gave the answer in the next verse:
Dan.8:14: He said to me, "It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated."
Is the time of 2,300 evenings and mornings literal or is it symbolic? The whole eighth chapter is covered in symbols. The powers which will exist in the time of the end are here presented as beasts and horns. Therefore, the time here presented must be symbolic as well. Bible is clearly implying it in verse 26.
Dan.8:26: "The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future".
There is no question about it any more. The Bible considers the 2,300 evenings and mornings in symbolic time. One day equals to one year. After 2,300 years the sanctuary will be reconsecrated or cleansed.

Now, when we have all four sub-questions answered somewhere in Daniel’s scroll, let’s see if the main question asked was answered also.
Dan.8:13: "Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, "How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled ......
We can see that with the answer given to Daniel in
Dan.8:14: He said to me, "It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated."
the main question was answered as well. It will take 2300 years to the beginning of its fulfillment.
When Daniel wrote down this vision, the temple of God (built by Solomon) was in ruins and did not exist any more. However, the temple was rebuilt by Zerubabel and in 516 B.C. was again dedicated to the Lord. Even this temple was eventually destroyed. In 70 A.D.; the Roman army leveled it literally to the ground and till this day no other temple exists.
If the vision is true, as the angel claims in verse 26, then that time cannot pertain to the earthly sanctuary, but must refer to the one in heaven! What will happen after 2,300 years?

The heavenly sanctuary will be reconsecrated! (or cleansed)

If it is the heavenly sanctuary, which had to be reconsecrated, it can mean only, that prior to it's reconsecration it was somehow defiled or desecrated. Bible confirms it in Dan.8, last part of verse 11: " ...and the place of his sanctuary was brought low."
How was it defiled or desecrated and who did it?
Rev.12:10: " ... Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down."
Satan was accusing us constantly in the heavenly sanctuary before our God. He defiled the heavenly sanctuary by his constant traffic of accusations against God's people! Ezekiel speaks about it as well:
Eze.28:18: "By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries."
When Satan has been hurled down, the desecrating of the heavenly sanctuary stopped. By his removal, the heavenly sanctuary was cleansed or reconsecrated. The holy one told Daniel that it will happen in the distant future, after 2,300 symbolic evenings and mornings (after 2,300 years). Consequently, it must have been at that time (after 2,300 years), when Satan was hurled down to the earth.

At this point, I think, it would be prudent to veer off from our studied subject and examine Satan’s falling down to the earth. This event is not as simple as many believers would think. Let’s start from the beginning:
Lk.10:18: He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Isa.14:12: How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
From the above presented verses, a person can form an impression that the falling of Satan down to the earth, happened already a long time ago in the past, and the only thing remaining is, throwing Satan into the Abyss for a thousand years. Actual situation is somewhat more complex.
Job 1:6: “One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.”
Zach.3:1-2: “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! ...”
From these verses, on the other hand, we can form an impression, that Satan’s activity in heaven did not end yet, that he is still active in heaven and has access to God’s throne or at least to His presence. It seems as if here, the Bible would contradict itself. To complicate the matter even more, Bible is giving us in Revelation the approximate time of Satan’s falling to the earth.
Rev.12:7-9: “And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”
In the 12th chapter Bible indicates, that Satan was present in heaven even during the time the woman gave birth to a son (during Jesus’ activity on the earth) and also later, when the woman flees into the desert. Only then, some time after, is Satan definitively thrown down to the earth.
We could state from the above quoted verses, that the investigated subject gets more complicated instead of clearer. These contradictions however, are only imaginary. Bible, in fact, is showing us the elimination process of the influence and the sphere of activity of God’s enemy. It spans over the centuries, even millenniums. This battle between God and Satan is spanning over the entire existence of mankind. It is a battle not only over heavenly or earthly territories, but mainly over the spheres of influence and control of other minds. In short, it is a battle of life and death between good and evil.

The first description of Satan falling down to the earth is penned in Apocrypha: “Life of Adam and Eve” 11-16. That happened right after the creation of man. At that time, Satan was present in the immediate vicinity of God - in the function of anointed cherub - guardian. He was, most likely, one of the four living creatures. We could compare his function to that of an important minister in God’s government. Bringing man through a deception on his side of influence and control, Satan forfeited his high position in the heavenly government and is thrown for the first time down to the earth. He becomes the self appointed ruler of this earth. Satan, however, was not banned from heaven! His past influence and great popularity caused many angels to side with him in growing conflict between him and God. With the first falling down to the earth, Satan loses only his high position in heaven.
Second falling down to the earth most likely happened after Jesus’ crucifixion. He definitely lost the little influence and solidarity that was left with the remaining angels. Satan is falling for the second time to the earth. However, he is still not banned completely from heaven. He has still access to the throne in the heavenly sanctuary.
In precisely how many stages is Satan falling down to the earth, Bible does not specify. But his next falling down to the earth is revealed to us even with the precise time when it’s going to happen.
Dan.8:14: He said to me, "It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated."
For a period of 2300 years, Satan had access to the heavenly sanctuary. There, he was persistently accusing God’s people, and with his presence was defiling the temple.
Rev.12:7-10: “And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.”
After 2300 years, Satan’s access to the heavenly sanctuary ended. Satan cannot enter and accuse God’s people any more. His defiling of the sanctuary ceased. Since he was hurled down to the earth, he cannot re-enter the heaven again. By his absence, the sanctuary is automatically sanctified (reconsecrated or cleansed). The sanctifying factor is the presence of God. As defiling of the sanctuary is caused by the coming or presence of someone or something unholy or defiled, so the sanctifying process is happening in heaven simply by the mere presence of God.
Again we are confronted with the question: From when or from what date to start counting these 2300 years?
The answer is still the same as before. The only date which Daniel received, from which to start counting the time, is the already known date - 457 B.C.
The 2300 years are bringing us from 457 B.C. all way to 1844 A.D.

One known religious organization operates with this date in their teachings and considers it as a cornerstone of their beliefs. Sadly, their understanding is based on a teaching of a mere person instead of trusting and depending on God’s word. For that reason, their understanding of the meaning of the year 1844 A.D. is incorrect, non-biblical and completely contrary to what the Bible is pointing to. By adding bits of information together, the Scriptures are revealing to us following:
From 457 B.C., when by God’s command the counting starts, 2300 years will expire till the sanctuary is reconcecrated. After 2300 years, in 1844 A.D., Satan is thrown down to the earth this time literally and forever prevented from entering again the heavenly sanctuary. In this way the sanctuary is cleansed or reconsecrated. At this point, Satan loses completely any control and influence in the heavenly realm. The only sphere of control and influence left to him, is this planet!
Notice, what happens in the moment Satan is thrown down to the earth:
Rev.12:12:Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
Bible is informing us in Rev. 12:12, that in the moment Satan is hurled down to the earth, the woe is coming on the earth as well.
This information should not surprise us anymore. Bible is stating it, already for the second time. First time we learned of it, when we have decoded the symbolic significance of the fifth trumpet. When the star (Satan) has fallen to the earth, the first woe started.
Rev.9:1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star (Satan) that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star (Satan) was given the key (control, power) to the shaft of the Abyss (beginning of ruin, destruction).
In this chapter we have gained understanding of the precise time when the first woe (5th trumpet) started.

The first woe started in 1844 A.D., when Satan was hurled down to the earth, and spans 5 symbolic months - 150 years all way to 1994 A.D.

Again, Bible is bringing us to the same critical date - 1994 A.D. In that year ended the time period appointed to the Gentiles and also the first woe (preparation for destruction) transpired.

Something else is also worthy of our notice:
When Satan is hurled to the earth, he knows how little time he has left! He understands God appointed times. (He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short).
According to today’s attitude of not only some, but many Christian teachers (towards understanding God’s appointed plans, times and purposes) it would seem, that while God is in details informing his arch enemy about every intention, step and time, what He will make and when it will transpire, He is purposely leaving His people in ignorance of them!
The reason why it seems to us that Satan knows about God’s plans and appointed times so much more than we, does not indicate, that God would inform him better than us. Rather the opposite is true. He doesn’t inform Satan about anything. However, God is informing us about all his important activities. God announced them all, ahead of time, to His servants the prophets. They in turn wrote them down, and today they are available to us in the Bible, in the form of various coded and encrypted visions and prophecies.
We are worshiping true God by searching the Scriptures for deeper understanding of Him. Doesn’t the Bible mention, that before God does anything, he announces it to his servants?
Amos 3:7: “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”
Isa.42:9: “See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."
The only problem is, that Satan is studying these encrypted visions and prophecies (which were in fact intended only for us) far more intensively than we do. That is why, he understands them far better. He knows God’s appointed times and plans (of which, many believers are convinced that they are God’s secrets), and is prepared and able to plan intricate countermeasures. We are then supposed to be caught in his net (of complex deceptions and half truths), only because, we have not given enough attention and time to the study of God’s word - the Bible.
God will not and even cannot protect us from the coming deceptions any other way, except that He would show us all important events that will be transpiring on this earth and in this time of the end. We have them all described in the Bible, and it is only up to us, if we will give them enough of our time and attention, as they would rightly deserve, or not.

Protection against the end time deceptions does not lay in false anticipation of rapture, but consist in learning, knowing and accepting the truth!

The enemy of God is trying whichever way to prevent us from learning it. His most successful instruments are actually some of your religious leaders and believers among you. All of them, who are discouraging you and opposing you in searching the Bible for the deeper things of God, are false servants only dressed in sheep’s clothing. Their worry, that you may begin to believe something different then they do and could leave the road they are taking, is only a worry of losing control and influence over you. They are preventing you from spiritually freeing yourselves from their control and from comprehending where their road is really leading you. Is it wide enough that you can walk on it with the whole religious organization you belong to? Then you must be walking on a multi-lane freeway and should seriously contemplate where it ends!

Matt.7:13-14: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Your friend in Jesus
HH