II. Thumbnail Sketch of Andrews’ Interpretation

1. DIGEST OF INTERPRETATION OF DANIEL

According to Andrews, the prophetic outline of Daniel 7 ends with the coronation of Christ, our present High Priest who is then made king. ^{2Andrews did not write a systematic commentary, as did Uriah Smith. But an accurate composite picture can be assembled from his various articles, editorials, and pamphlets that is quite comprehensive. Instead of groups of reference for each point, the leading sources are grouped in this note for convenience. These are The Three Angels of Revelation XIV, 6-12 (1855); articles in the Review and Herald from 1852 onward, and especially an extended series of editorials in that journal in 1869 and 1870. His History of the Sabbath also yields some points.} It was the Papacy of verse 25 which thought to change God’s times and laws. The “exceeding great” horn of Daniel 8 includes both pagan and papal Rome. The investigative judgment is Christ’s last work before He returns to earth at His second advent. And Satan is the scapegoat in the antitypical sanctuary service of Daniel 8.PFF4 1096.1

Andrews holds the usual dating for the 70 weeks, with their interlocking relationship to the 2300 years-457 B.C., A.D. 27, 31, and 34, and 1844 for the close of the longer period. When Michael stands up, Christ’s work in heaven is finished, and the time of trouble ends with the deliverance of the saints-the time “df trouble beginning after the 1260 years are past. And the increase of knowledge he holds to be the revived interest in the study of prophecy.PFF4 1096.2

2. RESUME OF ANDREWS ON THE APOCALYPSE

When the “mystery of God”—is finished, the gospel work is finished and probation is closed. The seventh trumpet extends over the period of the investigative judgment, the open sanctuary indicating that Christ’s work is being finished. Then comes the coronation of Christ, with the last plagues including Armageddon, followed by the first resurrection. And at the end of the thousand years the second resurrection occurs, and the final destruction of the wicked.PFF4 1096.3

In Revelation 12 the “woman” is the church, the “child” is Christ, and the “dragon” imperial Rome, the ruling power in the time of Christ. The “remnant” is the followers of Jesus who keep all the commandments. In Revelation 13 the first beast is papal Rome—the ten horns being the same as the ten horn-kingdoms of Daniel 7. The wounding is the taking away of the earlier papal power, accomplished in 1798, at the end of the 1260 years. The healing is under way.PFF4 1096.4

The second beast is the Protestant United States, coming into prominence just as the 1260 years end, the two horns denoting civil and religious liberty. The image to the Beast is not yet revealed, and is impossible to identify until it becomes a reality. But it will eventually be some act requiring men to acknowledge its authority and obey its mandates. The mark is an institution of the Papacy enforced by Protestantism. And 666 may be derived from Vicarius Filii Dei.PFF4 1097.1

The first flying angel of Revelation 14 parallels the angel of chapter 10, and the reckoning of prophetic time ends with the 2300 years in 1844. The second angel’s message ties in with hat of chapters 18:1-10 and 16:17-21. And the message of the third angel will be followed by the outpouring of the seven plagues. The “mark” is the change made in the law of God by the predominant ecclesiastical power of the medieval centuries. And the wrath of God is the seven last plagues, which are embraced in the third woe.PFF4 1097.2

The three unclean spirits of Revelation 16:13 are Roman Catholicism, apostate Protestantism, and Spiritualism leagued together. The symbol of the wicked woman of Revelation 17 is the church unlawfully united with the nations of the world. The beast on which she is seated represents the supporting governments, and Babylon is the professed church, ruling over the nations of the earth. The mother and daughters are all religious systems employing civil power, and the judgment upon Babylon comes just before the end, under the seventh plague. The final overthrow of the Beast and false prophet are at Armageddon.PFF4 1097.3

The thousand years of Revelation 20 are a kind of Sabbath, at the end of the six thousand years. The bottomless pit is the desolated earth, which becomes the prison house of Satan during the thousand years. (This imprisonment follows the overthrow of the Beast, and begins at the second advent.) The resurrection of the righteous marks the beginning of the millennium, and the two resurrections are separated by this thousand years. And at the second resurrection the wicked are raised and cast into the lake of fire.PFF4 1097.4