If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 55
	God’s Prophetic Calendar
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Let’s pray together:

Lord God, In our last lessons, we have discovered Your wonderful prophetic calendar, and the periods which are contained in it. We heartily thank You for giving us this calendar, and allowing us to understand it. Please guide us in this lesson, through the presence of Your Holy Spirit, as we put together all these periods and dates, to have a global picture of Your prophetic calendar. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 55
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Acts 17:26	Comments
[God] has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.	Yes indeed, God has «determined the times before appointed». In this lesson, we will quickly review each one of the great periods contained in God’s prophetic calendar. Then, we will draw a table putting together all these prophetic periods.

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Daniel 9:24	Comments
Seventy weeks are determined on your people and on your holy city.	First, we studied the prophetic period of the seventy weeks, announcing the first coming of Jesus.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 55
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Daniel 9:26,27	Comments
And after three score and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off. (...) And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.	Then this prophecy indicated that, in the middle of the seventieth week, «shall Messiah be cut off», causing «the sacrifice and the oblation to cease». Exactly at the predicted time, in the spring of the year 31, Jesus, the Messiah, died on the cross, thus bringing to an end the temple’s sacrificial system and offerings.

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Daniel 9:24

Comments

Seventy weeks are determined on your people and on your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, half a week (3½ years) still remained before the end of the 490 years of probation, set aside exclusively for the people of Israel, who had then to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah. Unfortunately, the Jewish nation rejected the gospel. By stoning Stephen, the first Christian martyr, in A.D 34, they put an end to the 70 weeks (490 years) of probation, and Christians turned to the Gentiles.

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Daniel 8:13,14	Comments
Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said to that certain saint which spoke, «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 he said to me, «To two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.»	Then, we studied the prophecy of the 2300 days.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 55
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Daniel 8:14,26 [NKJV]	Comments
For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed. (...) The vision of the evenings and mornings which was told is true. Therefore seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future.	The 2300 days have the same starting point as the 70 weeks, that is, 457 B.C., and thus lead to A.D. 1844. So we can understand why the angel said to Daniel that his vision referred «to many days in the future».

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Hebrews 9:23,24	Comments
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself.	We also saw that the cleansing of the sanctuary, which began in 1844, concerns the heavenly sanctuary, where Jesus, our High Priest, is now performing a work of judgment. In fact, this cleansing of the sanctuary symbolizes the beginning of the judgment.

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Daniel 7:9-11

Comments

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool. His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered to Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke.

The prophecy of Daniel chapter 7 already indicated that the judgment would begin before the return of Jesus. In fact, this vision of the judgment takes place as the little horn is still committing its misdeeds on earth.

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Daniel 7:25	Comments
[The saints of the Most High] shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.	Then, we studied the 1260 days, also described with the words «a time and times and the dividing of time», or «forty and two months» (42 x 30 = 1260). This 1260-year period of persecution for God’s people took place from 538 to 1798 A.D.
Revelation 13:5,7
And power was given to [the beast] to continue forty and two months. (...) And it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them.

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Daniel 7:25	Comments
He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws. And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.	These 1260 years, which were a time of persecution, apostasy, and deep spiritual darkness, correspond to the reign of the Church of Rome.
Revelation 13:5,6
Power was given to him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God.

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Revelation 13:3

Comments

I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world wondered after the beast.

When the pope was taken prisoner by France, in 1798, the Church of Rome lost its political power, putting an end to the 1260 days. But the papacy recovered this political power in 1929 when Mussolini, through the Lateran Treaty, restored temporal power to the pope, who was then given rulership over Vatican. Thus was healed its «deadly wound». And, as foretold, its influence over the nations has grown amazingly since the end of World War II.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 55
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Daniel 7:25,26	Comments
[The saints of the Most High] shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end.	In these two verses, Daniel chapter 7 confirms the chronology we have just outlined: First, the papacy reigned for 1260 years, from 538 to 1798;   Then, God’s judgment began in 1844 («the judgment shall sit»), at the end of the 2300 days;   Finally, after its temporary healing in 1929, the papacy’s dominion will be «consumed and destroyed to the end».

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Daniel 12:11-13	Comments
From the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go you your way till the end be: for you shall rest, and stand in your lot at the end of the days.	We then studied the 1290 days and the 1335 days, two prophetic periods given at the very end of the book of Daniel, to provide additional information about the reign of the Church of Rome.

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Daniel 12:6,7	Comments
«How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?» And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was on the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.	Since the 1290 years concern the reign of the Roman Church, the course of the 1290 years takes place during this reign, which has two distinct stages: A first reign of 1260 years («for a time, times, and a half», or 3½ times), from A.D. 538 to 1798.   Then, a second and last reign, «and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.»

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 55
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Daniel 12:11	Comments
From the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.	So the 1290 days end during the Roman Church’s second reign, when «the abomination that makes desolate [is] set up», that is, an event linked with the alliance between the apostate Church and the nations made drunk with her wine.
Revelation 17:1,2,4
«Come here; I will show to you the judgment of the great whore that sits on many waters: with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.» (...) [She had] a golden cup in her hand full of abominations.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 55
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Daniel 12:12

Comments

Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

We also saw that the 1335 days (which end 45 years after the 1290 days) lead to the days of Jesus’ return. To unlock the prophecy’s meaning, we invited you to answer these two questions, with the help of God’s Spirit: When must we consider the Roman Church to have entered into its second reign, thus resuming the course of the 1290 days interrupted in 1798 at the end of its first reign?   What event linked with the «abomination» (the alliance between the Roman Church and the nations intoxicated with her wine) happened 30 years after the beginning of the Roman Church’s second reign, adding to the 1260 years of the first reign to complete the 1290 years? Let’s see a chart of the 1290 and 1335 days prophecy.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 55
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 55
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Luke 21:28-31	Comments
«And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.» And [Jesus] spoke to them a parable, «Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, you see and know of your own selves that summer is now near at hand. So likewise you, when you see these things come to pass, know you that the kingdom of God is near at hand.»	Finally, we saw that, without being able to know the day and hour, we can note the imminence of Jesus’ return through the presence of the signs of the times. Now, let’s draw a global table of God’s prophetic calendar.

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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 55
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Mark 13:37

Comments

What I say to you I say to all, Watch.

Finally, let’s always remember the danger of thinking we know the year when the last countdown leading to Jesus’ return begins. Some people, by setting the year too early, can be discouraged when they see that they were mistaken. Others, by setting the year too late, may not seriously prepare themselves, wrongly believing that they still have much time before them. The only wise attitude is to follow Jesus’ advice: let’s watch, in order to always be ready, continuously having a strong personal relationship with our Savior and Lord.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 55
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Let’s thank God:

Heavenly Father, The first part of this Bible study guide has helped us «To Find Out Where We Come From», by searching the past and by observing the amazing fulfillment of Your prophetic Word throughout history. Please grant us now the great privilege of finding out «Where We Go Now», in order that we may discover what the future holds for us, and be able to make the best decisions from now on. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

 The test of Lesson 55 is waiting for you!

Source of the Pictures of this Lesson

Screen 1: In: «Photo Gallery 25,000» by Media Graphics International, CD #1, 022_153.JPG. Screen 2: PROVONSHA, Clyde. In: «Daniel 10-12: Palestine and Probation’s Close», G.C. Ministerial Association, 1976, p.1. Screen 3: BRICE, N. In: «The Bible Pageant, Volume 4: The Mighty Prince» (NEFF, Merlin L.), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1950, p.58. Screen 4: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «God Cares, volume 1» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1981, p.196. Table of Screen 4: First picture: In: «The Bible Story, volume 6» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.79. Used by permission. Copyright ©1955, 1983 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Second picture: In: «The Bible Story, volume 6» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.112. Used by permission. Copyright ©1955, 1983 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Third picture: STEEL, John. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1985, p.48. Screen 5: Photo by NAZARIO, Steve. In: «CORDmagazine» (Special Edition 2000), Union College, front cover. Table of Screen 5: In: «Revue Adventiste» magazine (October 1994), front cover. Screen 6: JUSTINEN, Lars. In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (April 1995), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.13. Screen 7: DORÉ, Gustave. In: «La Bible de Gustave Doré», Lausanne, Edita, 1994, p.363. Screen 8: QUADE, Lester. In: «The Bible Story, volume 6» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.69. Picture edited by Cyberspace Ministry. Used by permission. Copyright ©1955, 1983 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Table of Screen 8: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «God Cares, volume 1» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1981, pp.196,197. Screen 9: Picture from: Generation of graphics on CoolText.com (http://www.cooltext.com/). Screen 10: DROST, Willem. «The Vision of Daniel» (1650), Gemäldegalerie, Berlin. From the Web site: http://sunsite.auc.dk/cgfa/d/p-drost1.htm Screen 11: ANDERSON, Harry. In: «The Bible Story, volume 10» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.156. Used by permission. Copyright ©1957, 1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Screen 12: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (April 1, 1990), New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.8. Screen 13: STEEL, John. In: «God Cares, volume 1» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1981, p.182. Screen 14: Picture from: Generation of graphics on FlamingText.com (http://www.flamingtext.com). Screen 15: In: «Histoire du Monde: Volume 8 - Réformes et Explorations» (STEFFENSEN, J.-L.), Les Éditions Maisonneuve, 1967, p.733. Screen 16: In: «La Révélation - le grand dénouement est proche», New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1988, p.195. Screen 17: ANDERSON, Harry. In: «The Triumph of God’s Love, volume 2» (WHITE, Ellen G.), Pacific Press Publishing Association and Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1950, p.416. Screen 18: STEEL, John. In: «God Cares, volume 1» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1981, p.266. Screen 19: The Bettmann Archive. «Saint Peter’s Basilica». In: «Microsoft Encarta 98 Deluxe», Microsoft, 1997. Screen 20: BISHOP, Tom. «Woman and scarlet beast of Revelation 17». In: «New Pictoral Aid For Bible Study» (BREADEN, Frank), Australian Division of Seventh-Day Adventists, 1970, chart #45. Screen 21: STEEL, John. In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (March 1996), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.4. Screen 22: PROVONSHA, Clyde N. In: «Votre Bible et Vous» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.333. Used by permission. Copyright ©1959, 1987 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Screen 23: First picture: GALLANT, Randy. In: «The Medical Post» (September 23, 1997), p.9. Second picture: Photo by «Publiphoto». Unknown source. Third picture: In: «Signs of the Times» magazine (October 1990), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.2. Fourth picture: In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (January 1993), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.5. Fifth picture: In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (March 1993), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.3. Sixth picture: Photo by POZARIK, James. In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (February 1992), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.5. Seventh picture: In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (May 1996), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.14. Composite picture by Cyberspace Ministry. Screen 24: Logo of the company «A-L Associates Inc., a division of Esquire Communications Ltd.» (http://www.alassoc.com/tech/hit01.htm). Table of Screen 24: First Picture: In: «God Cares, volume 1» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1981, p.196. Second Picture: In: «God Cares, volume 1» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1981, p.196. Third Picture: STEEL, John. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1985, p.204. Fourth Picture: In: «God Cares, volume 1» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1981, p.197. Fifth Picture: PENNI, Gianfrancesco. «The Donation of Constantine», Sala di Costantino (1517-1525), Vatican Museum. In: WHITE, Ellen G., «The (New, Illustrated) Great Controversy», Laymen for Religious Liberty Inc., 1990. Sixth Picture: CONVERSE, James. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1985, p.329. Seventh Picture: STEEL, John. In: «God Cares, volume 1» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1981, p.182. Eighth Picture: «Vatican City, St. Peter Church». In: «Collier’s Encyclopedia Deluxe 1998», Sierra Home. Ninth Picture: Photo by SPIEGEL, Ted. «Cardinals During Mass at Synod of Bishops Conference», Vatican City, October 1969. (www.corbis.com/Ted Spiegel, Picture ID: GL001774). Tenth Picture: STEEL, John. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1985, p.539. Screen 25: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (November 1, 1986), New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.1. Screen 26: In: «Photo Gallery 25,000» by Media Graphics International, CD #1, AW021.JPG. Screen 27: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (April 1, 1991), New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.1. Screen 28: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI Software, JM140.BMP. Screen 29: In: «Photo Gallery 25,000» by Media Graphics International, CD #1, AM150.JPG.

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 The test of Lesson 55 is waiting for you!