(4) If it were known to the two
angels, Gabriel and possibly Michael (Dan. 10:12, 21), the two senior angels,
that this future Sanctuary was to be restored or constructed in the heavens,
then why did they mention the characteristic of cleanliness? The word “cleansed”
would be superfluous, to say the least; whereas, if it was to be an earthly
Temple, clean ordinances indicate the hand of God.
(5) Likewise, why mention a set
time when “the host” would cease “to be trodden under foot” in A.D. 1798,
and receive a Heavenly blessing in 1843, if the “host” (the living worshippers
of God on earth) were to be forced to
continue their going about over the earth (now almost 100 years)
without divine revelations or the restoration of His Gospel, Church, Sanctuary,
and Priesthood after the time of fulfilment was passed? However, we do
agree perfectly with that portion of Uriah Smith’s writings, “Thoughts on
Daniel and the Book of Revelations,” which shows that the original organization
of the Church of Jesus Christ and the Saints were destroyed and overcome by
Rome.
(6) Now where are the living Saints
coming form at Christ’s coming, if there is to be no true Church restored previous
to His second coming? Such reasoning as this is out of the question, for the
reason that the language of the prophecy is not fulfilled form any angle.
(7) furthermore, the prophetic period
of 1335 years in Dan. 12:12 also terminated in A.D. 1843 and the vision calls
for a blessing to be restored to the living at that time. Now these two
facts are also acknowledged by Mr. Uriah Smith in the same volume pages 315-16.
Furthermore, if the A.D. 1843 Sanctuary of Daniel 8th was to be restored in the
heavens and the work be for the dead only, then what becomes of the A.D. 1843
special blessing that was promised in Daniel 12:5-12 to the living? The mere
fact that certain ones have gradually gained a fair knowledge of Daniel’s
prophecies is no special benefit, unless they can connect their fulfillment
with specific earthly events.
(8) Uriah Smith cuts off all retreat
when he acknowledges that the blessing promised in Daniel 12:12 pertains to no
other than those living at that time. I quote: “The only thing promised at the
end of the 1335 days is a blessing unto those who wait and come to that time;
that is, those who are then living.” P. 315.
(9) He also acknowledges that this same
blessing is referred to, and symbolized in other scriptures (Rev. 12:6-7)
namely “under the symbol of an angel flying through mid-heaven with a special announcement
of the everlasting Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth. Surely the
Bible gives prominence to this movement.” (p. 316)
Now then, I have previously explained
in Chapters III, V and VI, how the Angel Moroni brought forth the plates of the
Book of Mormon in the very beginning of this 1843 Restoration period. Showing
that it was the Everlasting Gospel. It should therefore be clear to the reader
that through the Latter Day Saints have been fulfilled the prophecies in every
detail and they are the only ones who can offer a tangible explanation of the
prophecies terminating in 1843. (Francis M. Darter, “The Time of the End”:
Mysteries of Daniel Unveiled [Los Angeles: Wetzel Publishing Company, 1928],
207-9)
