Importance of studying the Books of Daniel and the Revelation

1. Given for the last days

“The light that Daniel received from God was given especially for these last days. The visions he saw
by the banks of the Ulai and the Hiddekel, the great rivers of Shinar, are now in process of fulfillment, and
all the events foretold will soon come to pass.” {TM 112.3}

2. Studying these books will bring a great revival amongst us

“Let us give more time to the study of the Bible. We do not understand the word as we should. The
book of Revelation opens with an injunction to us to understand the instruction that it contains.
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy," God declares, "and keep those
things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." When we as a people understand what this
book means to us, there will be seen among us a great revival. We do not understand fully the lessons
that it teaches, notwithstanding the injunction given us to search and study it. “{TM 113.2}
…
The perils of the last days are upon us, and in our work we are to warn the people of the danger they are in.
Let not the solemn scenes which prophecy has revealed be left untouched. If our people were half
awake, if they realized the nearness of the events portrayed in the Revelation, a reformation would
be wrought in our churches, and many more would believe the message. We have no time to lose; God
calls upon us to watch for souls as they that must give an account. Advance new principles, and crowd in
the clear-cut truth. It will be as a sword cutting both ways. But be not too ready to take a controversial
attitude. There will be times when we must stand still and see the salvation of God. Let Daniel speak, let
the Revelation speak, and tell what is truth. But whatever phase of the subject is presented, uplift
Jesus as the center of all hope, "the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright and morning
Star."
{TM 118.1}

3. Believers will have an entirely different religious experience

“When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely
different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart
and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness
which is to be the reward of the pure in heart.” {TM 114.3}

The Lord will bless all who will seek humbly and meekly to understand that which is revealed in the
Revelation. This book contains so much that is large with immortality and full of glory that all who
read and search it earnestly receive the blessing to those "that hear the words of this prophecy, and
keep those things which are written therein." {TM 114.4}

One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revelation--that the connection between
God and His people is close and decided. {TM 114.5}
A wonderful connection is seen between the universe of heaven and this world. The things revealed to
Daniel were afterward complemented by the revelation made to John on the Isle of Patmos. These two
books should be carefully studied.
…
Will our brethren bear in mind that we are living amid the perils of the last days? Read Revelation in
connection with Daniel. Teach these things. {TM 115.4}
Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God will bring from the books of Daniel
and Revelation truth that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. They will start into action forces that cannot be
repressed. The lips of children will be opened to proclaim the mysteries that have been hidden from the
minds of men. {TM 116.1}
…
4. This history will be repeated
Study Revelation in connection with Daniel, for history will be repeated. . . . We, with all our
religious advantages, ought to know far more today than we do know. {TM 116.3}
Angels desire to look into the truths that are revealed to the people who with contrite hearts are searching
the word of God and praying for greater lengths and breadths and depths and heights of the knowledge
which He alone can give. {TM 116.4}
As we near the close of this world's history, the prophecies relating to the last days especially
demand our study. The last book of the New Testament Scriptures is full of truth that we need to
understand. Satan has blinded the minds of many so that they have been glad of any excuse for not
making the Revelation their study. But Christ through His servant John has here declared what shall be in
the last days; and He says, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and
keep those things which are written therein." {TM 116.5}

5. Daniel 11 almost fulfilled

The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly
reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place.
{9T 14.2}

Injunctions to a diligent study

 As a people we are called individually to be students of prophecy. We must watch with
earnestness that we may discern any ray of light which God shall present to us. We are to catch the
first gleamings of truth; and through prayerful study clearer light may be obtained, which can be
brought before others. {5T 707.708}

 “Daniel and Revelation must be studied, as well as the other prophecies of the Old and New
Testaments. Let there be light, yes, light, in your dwellings. For this we need to pray. The Holy
Spirit, shining upon the sacred page, will open our understanding, that we may know what is
truth. . . .” {TM 112.1}

 “There is need of a much closer study of the word of God; especially should Daniel and the
Revelation have attention as never before in the history of our work. We may have less to say
in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the papacy; but we should call attention to what
the prophets and apostles have written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy
Spirit has so shaped matters, both in the giving of the prophecy and in the events portrayed, as to
teach that the human agent is to be kept out of sight, hid in Christ, and that the Lord God of
heaven and His law are to be exalted. Read the book of Daniel. Call up, point by point, the
history of the kingdoms there represented. Behold statesmen, councils, powerful armies, and
see how God wrought to abase the pride of men, and lay human glory in the dust. . . . “ {TM
112.2}

The need of study and teaching by teachers

 The book of Revelation, in connection with the book of Daniel, especially demands study. Let
every God-fearing teacher consider how most clearly to comprehend and to present the
gospel that our Saviour came in person to make known to His servant John--"The Revelation
of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly
come to pass." Revelation 1:1. None should become discouraged in the study of the Revelation
because of its apparently mystical symbols. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." James 1:5.

{Ed 191.2}

Dig Deeper

We need to be prepared to give a reason for our faith

Every position of truth taken by our people will bear the criticism of the greatest minds; the highest of the
world's great men will be brought in contact with truth, and therefore every position we take should be
critically examined and tested by the Scriptures. Now we seem to be unnoticed, but this will not always be.
Movements are at work to bring us to the front, and if our theories of truth can be picked to pieces by
historians or the world's greatest men, it will be done.
We must individually know for ourselves what is truth, and be prepared to give a reason of the hope that
we have with meekness and fear, not in a proud, boasting, self-sufficiency, but with the spirit of Christ. We
are nearing the time when we shall stand individually alone to answer for our belief. Religious errors are
multiplying and entwining themselves with Satanic power about the people. There is scarcely a doctrine of
the Bible that has not been denied.--Letter 6, 1886. {Ev 69}
We do not go deep enough in our search for truth. Every soul who believes present truth will be
brought where he will be required to give a reason of the hope that is in him. The people of God will
be called upon to stand before kings, princes, rulers, and great men of the earth, and they must
know that they do know what is truth. They must be converted men and women. God can teach you
more in one moment by His Holy Spirit than you could learn from the great men of the earth. The
universe is looking upon the controversy that is going on upon the earth. At an infinite cost, God has
provided for every man an opportunity to know that which will make him wise unto salvation. How
eagerly do angels look to see who will avail himself of this opportunity! {TM 119.1}

Many of us know not what we believe

I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth know not what they
believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for
the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others who will find,
upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory
reason. Until thus tested they knew not their great ignorance. And there are many in the church who take it
for granted that they understand what they believe; but, until controversy arises, they do not know their
own weakness. When separated from those of like faith and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain
their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth.
Certain it is that there has been among us a departure from the living God and a turning to men, putting
human in place of divine wisdom…
God would have all the bearings and positions of truth thoroughly and perseveringly searched, with prayer
and fasting. Believers are not to rest in suppositions and ill-defined ideas of what constitutes truth. Their
faith must be firmly founded upon the word of God so that when the testing time shall come and they are
brought before councils to answer for their faith they may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in
them, with meekness and fear.
Agitate, agitate, agitate. The subjects which we present to the world must be to us a living reality...We
should present sound arguments, that will not only silence our opponents, but will bear the closest and
most searching scrutiny. Gw 298,299

If God has ever spoken by me, the time will come when you will be brought before councils, and every
position of truth which you hold will be severely criticized. The time that so many are now allowing to
go to waste should be devoted to the charge that God has given us of preparing for the approaching crisis.
{5T 716}

Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand
only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in
His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and
purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths
of the Bible will stand through the last great
conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey God rather than men? The decisive hour
is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God's immutable word? Are we prepared to stand
firm in defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus? {GC 593}
 Textbooks
You don’t have to read every single book. But these are the recommended books to help you in your
further studies.
 KJV Bible
 The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White
 The King of the North by Louise Weir
 Daniel the Prophet by Stephen N. Haskells
 Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith
 Sanctified Life by Ellen G. White
 Prophets and Kings by Ellen G. White
 Daniel and Revelation by Ellen G. White (Compiled)
 Daniel and Revelation Compilation (Bible texts with blank pages).
 Bible Dictionary
 Sacred Chronology by Sylvester Bliss
 The Great Empires of Prophecy by A.T. Jones

1. Bible – Make sure you get your Bible read. Make sure you read the Bible first, then go to SOP second.
2. SOP – You can’t get any better than prophet telling you what it means.
3. Other References – Ellen White primarily she is dealing with character. Very rarely would she ever get
into dates, names, and places. But like Uriah Smith, he is a historian. Naturally he will get into dates,
names, and places. You need the history. It’s the fulfillment of prophecy. Prophecy cannot be fully
understood without the history. Get the balance of two