A Study of the Last Two Visions of Daniel,
and of the Olivet Discourse of the Lord Jesus Christ

by Philip Mauro

Written in 1921

"Writings and addresses on prophecy always excite interest, because they appeal to the element of curiosity which is prominent in human nature. But such writings and addresses are of benefit only so far as they rightly interpret the Scripture. In the case of unfulfilled prophecy this is oftentimes a matter of difficulty; while on the other hand writers on prophetic themes are under constant temptation to indulge in surmises and speculations, and even in flights of imagination. Much has been put forth as interpretation of prophecy which is utterly unproved, but which could not be disproved except, as in cases where dates have been set for the coming of Christ, by the event itself."

Philip Mauro wrote these words just after the turn of the century. At this time, the popular Scofield Reference Bible had just appeared on the Christian book market with its claim to restore "Dispensational truth" to the Church. With great skill and readability, Mauro's work aptly repudiates the "parenthesis theory" that has been perpetuated even in our own day by modern Dispensational writers on prophecy, and lays the foundation of what the biblical teaching concerning the destiny of the nation of Israel.

 PART ONE

CHAPTER 1

Principles That Should Govern in the Interpretation of Prophecy

Nothing Should be Based upon Surmise-Proofs Should be Drawn from the Scripture Itself, which is the only Authority in Matters of Interpretation-But History Must be Appealed to in order to Show Fulfilment of Prophecy. BIBLE CHRONOLOGY: The Bible Contains its own Chronology.- "DANIEL THE PROPHET"-An Exact Time-Measure to the Coming and Crucifixion of Christ-Special Features of the Prophecy of The Seventy Weeks.

CHAPTER 2

The Commandment To Restore and To Build

Differences of opinion as to the Starting Point of the Prophecy Arising from Disregard of Bible Chronology-The Defectiveness of all Systems Based on the "Canon" of Ptolemy -Martin Anstey's Chronology Based on the Bible Alone. THE DECREE OF CYRUS THE GREAT-Isaiah's Prophecies Concerning Cyrus. Josephus' References to Cyrus-Decrees by later Persian Kings-Nehemiah's Work on the Wall.

CHAPTER 3

Details of The Seventy Weeks

The Six Predictions of v. 24. The Division of the Period into Three Parts-"To Finish the Transgression To Make an End of Sins"-"To Make Reconciliation for Iniquity"- "To Bring in Everlasting Righteousness"-"To Seal up Vision and Prophecy"-"To Anoint the Most Holy Place."

CHAPTER 4

"Unto The Messiah The Prince"

The Terminal Point of the Sixty-Nine Weeks; The Baptism and Anointing of Jesus- The Manifestation to Israel Beginning of the Lord's ministry-Proofs which fix the Terminal Point of the 483 Years-The Prince.

CHAPTER 5

Messiah "Cut Off"

The "Time" and the "Hour"-The Lord's Earthly Ministry -The Judgment: "The Prince that Shall Come"-Different Opinions as to the Time of His Coming-Titus, Son of Vespasian- was the Prince (or Commander) of the Roman Armies which Destroyed the City and Desolated the Land- The Terms of the Prophecy Forbid its Application to a Future Personage.

CHAPTER 6

The Seventieth Week

The Interpretation of verse 27-Who is the Person Referred to? What "Covenant" is it? And what Sacrifices?-"For One Week"-The Septuagint Rendering.

CHAPTER 7

Are The Seventy Weeks Consecutive?

The Idea of a Detached and "Postponed" Seventieth Week Examined-Various Proofs that the Seventy Weeks are a Continuous Measure of Time-The Past Fulfillment of verse 27 Proves this-Many Bands that Clasp the Seventieth Week Firmly to the Other Sixty-nine-Why the Entire Period is Divided into Three Parts-The Overspreading of Abominations-The Decree of Cyrus Again - The Remainder of the Seventieth Week-God's Prophetic Time-Measure.

CHAPTER 8

Daniel's Last Vision

Outline of the Visions of Daniel 7, 8, and 9-How the Last Vision Came to be Given-The Prophetic History of Daniel 11-The "Latter Days"-The "Thing" Revealed to Daniel -The Persian Era-The Macedonian Era-Alexander the Great and His Successors-Ptolemy Philadelphus-Antiochus the Great-Ptolemy Epiphanes-Antiochus Epiphanes (the "Vile Person")-His Persecutions of the Jews-The Uprising of the Maccabees, and their "Exploits."

CHAPTER 9

"The King"

Various Attempts to Identify this Personage-The "Break" Theory-Proof that the Prophetic Narrative is Continuous -"Herod the King"-Herod's Dynasty Filled Out the Last Stage of Jewish History "Until the Indignation"-"According to His Will"-Exalting and Magnifying Himself-"The Desire of Women"-"The God of Forces"-The Testimony of Josephus as to Herod-The Time of the End-Farquharson's Commentary-Defeat of Antony and Cleopatra by Octavius Caesar-Edom, Moab and Ammon-The Treasures of Egypt-Tidings from East and North-Herod "Troubled"-His Outbreak of "Great Fury"-His Palace and His End.

CHAPTER 10

The Time Of Trouble

Michael the Great Prince-A Time of Trouble such as Never Was-Many Awakened-They Who Make Wise- Many Shall Run To and Fro-How Long the End?-A Time, Times and a Part-The Taking Away of the Daily Sacrifice-The Period of Three and a Half Years in Scripture.

CHAPTER 11

The Wise Shall Understand

Who are "the Wicked" and "the Wise"?-Many Purified and Made White, and Tried-False Prophets-Have These Prophecies a Future Application?

PART TWO

CHAPTER 12

The Lord's Olivet Prophecy

Christ's References to the Approaching Destruction of Jerusalem-The Importance of that Event in History, and in God's Dealings with Mankind-Prophecies Concerning Jerusalem-Wrath to the Uttermost-Future Troubles for Mankind-Concerning Antichrist.

CHAPTER 13

Outline of the Olivet Prophecy

The Three Main Purposes of the Discourse-The Great Tribulation or the Days of Vengeance-The Sign to Flee- The Three Parallel Accounts of the Olivet Prophecy- "When Ye Shall See" Self-Inflicted Sufferings-Tribulation "Such as Never Was."

CHAPTER 14

Mark's Account of The Olivet Prophecy

The Question of the Four Disciples-The Stones of the Temple-The General Warnings-The Sign of the Approaching "Desolation"-Those Days to be "Shortened"- False Christs and False Prophets-Proof that the Three Evangelists Refer to one and the same Tribulation-The Siege and Dispersion Foretold by Moses-The Abomination of Desolation was the Roman Armies, not an Idol in the Sanctuary-Luke's Account: Is it the Same Discourse?- Israel's Last Probation-The Time of Jacob's Trouble- The Great Tribulation of Revelation VII.

CHAPTER 15

Josephus' Description of the Siege of Jerusalem

The Days of Herod Agrippa II and His Great Oration-Felix and Festus-The Sicarii-False Prophets-"That Egyptian"-Three Million at the Passover-The Cruelties of Florus-Tlie Strange Retreat of Cestius-The Days of Vengeance-Josephus Taken Prisoner by Vespasian-Titus Succeeds Vespasian in Charge of the Roman Armies-The Internal Strife in Jerusalem-The Cruelties of the "Tyrants" -The Last Passover-Flamine, Blood, and Fire-Unspeakable Sufferings-The Capture of the City and Dispersion of the Nation.

CHAPTER 16

Concluding Comments

Edersheim on Matthew XXIV-The Four Divisions of the Prophecy-The Beginning of Sorrows-A Strong and Illuminating Contrast-The Two Illustrative Parables: The Fig tree and The Man Taking a Far Journey-Signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars-The Times of the Gentiles.

APPENDIX