The prophecy of the 2300 evenings and mornings
Key Text
"And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed."— Daniel 8:14
Decree of Artaxerxes
Start of 2300 years
Baptism of Jesus
69 weeks fulfilled
Death of Christ
Temple veil torn
Death of Stephen
End of 70 weeks
Sanctuary Cleansing
October 22
Daniel 8:14 presents the longest time prophecy in the Bible. To understand it, we need to look at the **Earthly Sanctuary**, which was a "model" of the heavenly one. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the day when the sanctuary was cleaned of the records of sins accumulated during the year.
In symbolic prophecies, God uses a day to represent a year. This principle is found in Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6. Therefore, 2300 evenings and mornings are 2300 literal years.
Daniel 9:25 gives the start date: "from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem". The final and complete decree was given by Artaxerxes in 457 B.C.
Understanding that 2300 evenings and mornings equal 2300 literal years is the key to unlocking this prophecy (Numbers 14:34).
The time granted especially to the Jewish people ended in 34 A.D., after which the gospel went to the whole world.
The 70 weeks (490 years) were fulfilled exactly, confirming that the 2300 years ended in 1844.
2300 evenings and mornings
= 2300 years
70 weeks
490 years
Remaining
1810 years
457 B.C. + 2300 years
= 1844 A.D.
Summary: At the end of 2300 evenings and mornings, the sanctuary shall be cleansed.
Summary: A day for a year in divine judgment.
Summary: Evening and morning form a complete day.
Summary: The 70 weeks are determined for Israel; connection with the greater prophecy.
Summary: The king authorizes resources and departure for Jerusalem.
Summary: Establishment of magistrates and judges.
Summary: Baptism/Anointing of Jesus (27 A.D.).
Summary: In the midst of the week, he shall cause the sacrifice to cease.
Summary: Death of Christ and temple veil torn.
Summary: Death of Stephen and expansion of the gospel to the Gentiles.
Summary: Beginning of the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary.
Summary: Parallel to the Day of Atonement - After 1844: Afflict the soul.
# Study 7 - When Christ begins the atonement
- Objective
- Understand the prophecy of the 2300 evenings and mornings (Dn 8:14)
- Central Prophecy
- Daniel 8:14 — Sanctuary cleansed
- Day-Year Principle
- Numbers 14:34 — A day for a year
- Genesis 1:5 — Evening and morning = complete day
- 70 Weeks Link (Dn 9)
- Daniel 9:20-27 — Explanation and cutting of the 70 weeks
- Initial Decree (457 B.C.)
- Ezra 7:13-16,20 — Provisions and authorization
- Ezra 7:25-26 — Establish magistrates
- Messianic Landmarks
- Matthew 3:16 — Anointing of Jesus (27 A.D.)
- Daniel 9:27 — Sacrifice shall cease (31 A.D.)
- Climax Events
- Matthew 27:50,51 — Veil torn
- Acts 7:55-60; 8:1-4 — End of the 70 weeks (34 A.D.)
- Conclusion
- 2300 years: 457 B.C. → 1844 A.D. (start of cleansing)
- Parallel to the day of atonement
- Leviticus 16:29, 23:27 - After 1844: Afflict the soul
Knowing that Jesus Christ is performing the final work before returning to Earth and seeking His people, do you wish to prepare yourself to be ready when He comes?
Click to express your decision
| Event | Calculation | Final Date |
|---|---|---|
| Decree of Artaxerxes | Start of Prophecy | 457 B.C. |
| Cutting of the 70 weeks | 490 years for the Jews | 34 A.D. |
| Remaining of the Prophecy | 2300 - 490 = 1810 years | 1844 A.D. |
*Note: When moving from B.C. to A.D., we add 1 year as there is no year zero.
Jesus did not return to Earth, but moved to a new phase in His heavenly ministry. He entered the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary to begin the Investigative Judgment (the cleansing of the sanctuary), the final step before His coming.
Daniel was overwhelmed by the vision of the 2300 days because he thought the captivity of his people (which should last 70 years according to Jeremiah) would now last 2300 years. He only understood later, in chapter 9, when Gabriel explained the starting point and the cutting off of the 70 weeks for his people.
This is the biblical way of counting a full day (Genesis 1). In the sanctuary context, it also refers to the morning and evening sacrifices. Therefore, 2300 evenings and mornings are 2300 prophetic days (years).
It locates us in prophetic time. We live today in the "Antitypical Day of Atonement". It is the solemn time when our cases are being analyzed in God's court. It is the time to "afflict the soul" in repentance. (Leviticus 16:29; 23:27)