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QUESTION:
Would it really be reasonable to conclude that the "constant feature" mentioned at Daniel be "daily sacrifices", because such sacrifices were removed in the old covenant, and already made ONCE and for all time, by the High Priest?"
MY REPLY:
According to the New World Translation of the Bible used by those who call themselves Jehovah's Witnesses; Daniel 12:11 reads;
"'And from the time that the constant [feature] has been removed and there has been a placing of the disgusting thing that is causing desolation, there will be one thousand two hundred and ninety days."
If as you acknowledge, Heb.10:12 NIV tells us that the sacrifice of Jesus is "effective forever"/"for all time";
...how is this the sacrifice that is removed and done away with?
For that to be so; God's Word would be contradictory, which is not possible (John 17:17; Num.23:19; Rom.3:4).
Can it be reasonable to conclude that the "constant feature" at Dan.12:11 is the daily sacrifices offered by the priests of God's Temple?
A closer consideration of Dan.12:11 tells us, that when the constant feature is removed,
it coincides with the disgusting thing that causes desolation, being placed in its position.
When we understand what that disgusting thing is, where it is placed, and how it is causing desolation to where it is... then we can see clearly, how it removes the constant feature, as well as what that constant feature is.
Jesus told us further details of this disgusting thing, and where it is placed.
According to Matt.24:15, Jesus said it is installed in "the holy place" where it causes desolation.
Where is the "holy place"?
The scriptures repeatedly tell us, that the "holy place" is in God's Temple
(Ex.28:43 NKJV ; Ex.29:30 NKJV ; 1Chron.6:49; 23:32; Lev.6:16,26).
Yet that original tabernacle of God, as well as other physical temples... no longer exist (Mark 13:1-2; John 4:20-21).
Take note!... Moses was told, that the ancient tabernacle was merely a pattern of the eternal, spiritual, and heavenly temple to come (Heb.7:22,23; 8:5; Ex.25:40).
That spiritual Temple, are, the living stones who comprise the priesthood of anointed in Christ
(1Pet.2:5; Eph.2:20,21,22; 1Cor.3:16; Rev.5:10).
God's spirit dwells in their hearts (Isa.57:15; Rom.5:5; 2Cor.1:22; Gal.4:6).
They have become the "holy place" (1Cor.3:17; 6:19; Eph.2:20,21,22),
the "holy city" (Ps.48:1; Rev.21:10,2,3; Ps.46:4; Dan.9:24),
and the "holy mountain" Zion (Isa.56:7; Joel 2:1; Zech.8:3; Ps.24:3; Rev.14:1; 21:10)
where the priests sacrifices are given, and God is served eternally
(Eze.20:40; Num.25:13; 18:7,19; Rev.22:3 NIV ).
Mark 13:14 adds that the abomination of desolation is installed / "standing"
where it "does not belong".
What is it, that "does not belong" standing within or over God's spiritual Temple or its priests?
Num.18:7; Eze.44:5,6,7,8,9; 2Chron.23:6; Num.18:7; Isa.63:18; Jer.51:51
Obviously... anyone who is not an anointed priest, does not belong in the vicinity of the Holy Place,
nor serving in a priestly capacity.
It is prophesied, that God's spiritual Temple, IS trespassed upon
(Rev.11:2; Luke 21:20,24; Rev.13:10,7; Dan.7:25,21; 8:11,12,13,17,19; 10:14; 11:31,32,33; Rev.13:10).
Take note at Dan.8:11,12,13 and Dan.11:31, in each verse it speaks of the sacrifice as being "regular".
That word denotes that it is not one sacrifice for all time, but a sacrifice that is offered, repeatedly.
Please take note of the connection between the "abomination of desolation" spoken about by Daniel (Matt.24:15; Dan.11:36,37)
and the "Man of Lawlessness" who is also prophesied to enter God's Holy place / Temple and usurp it... 2Thess.2:3-4.
God's Temple, the Holy Place... is where that "Man", takes his seat / throne.
Does an identity of lawlessness, belong over God's holy Temple? (Mark 13:14)
Daniel told us what happens, when the "Man of Lawlessness" trespasses and conquers the Temple priesthood of anointed saints
(Dan.11:31; 9:26,27; 8:11,12).
These two additions contained in Matt.24:15 and Mark 13:14 made clear,
that the constant feature that is removed (Dan.12:11), can certainly be the DAILY, priestly sacrifices.
Heb.10:12 NIV assured us that the constant feature that is removed, cannot be, the value of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ's life.
Dan.8:11 makes plain, that the sanctuary is overthrown. That is where the priests render their daily sacrifices. If overthrown and forced to cease sacrificing; that daily, regular sacrifice, is abolished (Dan.12:11; 8:11; 11:31).
God's priests properly have over them, their high priest.... their commander and head (Rev.19:11,14; 17:14; Heb.4:14; 8:1; 9:11).
That changes when the sanctuary is taken from him (Dan.8:11-12)
["Prince of heavenly army" -Dan.8:11; 11:22; Rev.19:11,14,8; 17:14; Eph.2:6; Rev.3:21].
Without their attachment to Jesus, his priests can do nothing (John15:5-6).
The fruit of their lips, ceases (Heb.13:15NKJV ; Luke 6:43-45; John15:5; Dan.8:11-12)
It is Jesus Christ, who had taken from him, the offerings of his priesthood.
Unlike the perpetual sacrifice of Jesus Christ, established for all time;
the sacrifices of the anointed priests, CAN be halted... AND clearly ARE.
The reasoning you give in your question, asserts that the constant feature cannot be any sacrifice other than that of Christ, because
"such sacrifices were removed in the old covenant"..... ", "and already made ONCE and for all time, by the High Priest?"
Is that true?
Are the regular sacrifices of God's anointed priesthood, non-existent since the old covenant ended?
Did the one, perfect sacrifice of Jesus, make all priestly sacrifices of the new, spiritual temple, unnecessary?
We were told that the original tabernacle is a perfect pattern of the heavenly priesthood to come (Heb.8:5).
Is that pattern wrong when it comes to the sacrifices that the original priesthood had to offer, day and night..."daily"?
(Ex.29:39; Lev.6:20; 1Chron.9:33; 16:40; 23:30; 2Chron.2:4; 13:11; Ezra 3:3; Rev.7:15; Dan.8:26,19)
Let's take a look at what is expected of the priests of God's spiritual Temple.
Jesus assigned his slaves, talents/bags of gold
(John 12:49; 20:21; Ps.12:6 NIV ; Matt.25:14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,24,25,26,27,28,29,30).
The slave that did not make good use of that 'talent/gold'...
(Col.3:24; 2Tim.4:2; 1Cor.9:16),
...was judged as unfaithful.
What 'gold' did Jesus give his anointed slaves, to make good use of?
Truths of God... and the priests are required to teach it.
Mal.2:7; Matt.28:19,20
Heb.13:15 reads;
"15 Therefore by Him let US CONTINUALLY offer the SACRIFICE of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
(1Pet.2:9; Isa.43:21,10)
Rev.4: "8 Day and night they NEVER STOP, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come."
---Yes, that sacrifice of praise IS, a continual, constant feature....
even for the new Temple priesthood... a fulfillment of the previous pattern (Heb.8:5; 9:24)
So, is there any other sacrifice, other than the life of Christ?
According to Heb.13:15, is it required continually?
Isa.43:21 reads;
"This PEOPLE, I have formed for Myself;
That they shall declare My praise."
Isa.43:10a "‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord,
‘and my servant whom I have CHOSEN"
Who are the people formed and chosen by God (Lev.20:26), and assigned to declare His praise?
(the fruit of lips -Heb.13:15)
1Pet.2:
"9 But you are a CHOSEN generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special PEOPLE,
that YOU may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness, into His marvelous light".
So, when you assume that the death of Christ is the only sacrifice...
(there are many kinds of spiritual sacrifices still required and
incumbent upon the anointed priests of God's spiritual temple),
...and you assume that God's anointed priests are not required to be actively, constantly serving, as priests and kings...
then consider Rev.5:10 reads;
"And have made us kings and priests to serve our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”
[ also Rev.22:3 NIV ; 1Pet.2:5]
Many, many scriptures, speak to the urgency and endurance needed,
of preaching the truth to the praise of God (Matt.5:16; 1Pet.2:12).
"Drawing back" from performing that constant feature of God's abode, is condemned in a great many verses as well
(2Cor.5:20; 2Pet.3:9; Heb.10:36,38-39; 1Tim.4:16; 1Cor.9:16).
When the "disgusting thing"/'abomination"... DESOLATES and tramples the Holy Place,
the priests that are assigned to serve there, can NO LONGER perform their duties of preaching the unchanging truth, that is sourced in Christ
(John 15:4,5; Matt.10:27; John 16:13,14; 15:16; 7:18; Matt.24:35; Luke 21:15).
John 15:16; Heb.13:15; Dan.8:11,12; 12:11
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