Ford concludes that the traditional Adventist doctrine of the sanctuary
cannot be reconciled with the Bible on the basis of generally applied hermeneutical
principles, and because he is fully committed to the Bible on doctrinal
matters he has no alternative but to reject the traditional interpretation,
at least as the primary intent of Scripture. But he does find a
principle that enables him to be faithful to both the Bible and the historical
integrity of the church, a principle Seventh-day Adventists have long
recognized and used but never applied consistently to the prophecies of Daniel
and the Revelation. Curiously, he points out, the traditional interpretation
does apply the apotelesmatic principle to one point in Daniel 8: it
makes the little horn out to be both pagan and papal Rome!82
"The resolution of our Adventist sanctuary problem," Ford says, "is
found in the apotelesmatic principle.83 That principle "is the very key we
need to authenticate our denominational appropriation of Dan. 8:14 to our own
time and work."84 "By apotelesmatic we mean dual fulfillment or more";
"Scripture clearly shows that prophecies may have more than a single fulfillment."85
Note that Ford uses the apotelesmatic principle, not to prove the
church wrong, but to authenticate the application of Daniel 8:14 to our own
time and work. He explains, further:
p>
The apotelesmatic principle . . . affirms that a prophecy fulfilled, or
fulfilled in part, or unfulfilled at the appointed time, may have a
later or recurring, or consummated fulfillment. The ultimate fulfillment
is the most comprehensive in scope, though details of the original
forecast may be limited to the first fulfillment.
The main idea rather than precise details . . is what has a recurring
fulfillment.86
Of the primary application of Daniel 8:14 Ford says that "only Antiochus
Epiphanes fulfills the chief specifications of Daniel's little born, and the
vile person of Daniel 11. All other fulfillments, such as pagan and papal
Rome, are fulfillments in principle rather than in detail."87 "Antiochus
did fulfill the little horn prophecy, but he did not fill it full":88
"Every era of revival of the truths symbolized in the sanctuary may claim to be
a fulfillment of Dan. 8:14."89 "Dan. 8:14 had its primary application to
the times of Antiochus Epiphanes."90 "The Adventist application of Dan.
8:14 to 1844 was an application in principle, an apotelesmatic fulfillment--
a legitimate but not an exhaustive application."91 "1844 thus becomes a
providential re-interpretation and an apotelesmatic fulfillment, rather than
the primary intention of the apocalyptic passage."92 "1844 and the Advent
movement are indeed a fulfillment of Dan. 8:14, an apotelesmatic fulfillment
in the same sense that A.D. 70 was a fulfillment of Matt. 24, and John the
Baptist of Mal. 4:5, 6; and Pentecost of Joel 2:28."93
Ford adopts the apotelesmatic principle because, in a number of instances,
the Bible itself makes use of the principle.94 The SDA Bible Commentary
acknowledges this principle and makes repeated use of it.95 In
numerous instances Ellen White gives Bible prophecies, including those of Daniel,
more than one fulfillment.96 For instance:
The prophecy in the eleventh (chapter) of Daniel has nearly reached its
complete fulfillment. Much of the history that has taken place in
fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated.97
She similarly applies all of the signs of Christ's second coming delineated
in Matthew 24 to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and to the coming of Christ:
This entire discourse was given, not for the disciples only, but for
those who would live in the last scenes of earth's history.98
The Saviour's prophecy concerning the visitation of judgments upon
Jerusalem is to have another fulfillment, of which that terrible desolation was but a faint shadow.99
This prophecy [Matthew 24] will again be fulfilled. The abounding
iniquity of that day finds its counterpart in this generation. So with
the prediction in regard to the preaching of the gospel. . . . So now,
before the coming of the Son of man, the everlasting gospel is to be
preached "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."100
This warning [false messiahs] was given also to those who live in this
age of the world. The same deceptions practiced prior to the
destruction of Jerusalem have been practiced through the ages, and will be
practiced again.
This prophecy [false prophets] was spoken also or the last days. This
sign is given as a sign of the second advent.102
This prophecy [Joel 2:28] received a partial fulfillment in the outpouring
of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost; but it will reach its full
accomplishment in the manifestationn of divine grace which will attend
the closing work of the gospel.103
Ellen White similarly applied the parable of the Ten Bridesmaids to both
1844 and its "perfect fulfillment" in the future.104 She applies Daniel
8:14 not only to 1844, but also to "the final purification of the universe
from sin and sinners."105 In fact, she applies it to events prior to
apostasy of the early Christian centuries106 as well as to the closing events of
earth's history.107
The apostelesmatic principle is thus well attested in the Bible, in the
writings of Ellen White, and in the SDA Bible Commentary.108 The word
apotelesmatic may be new to many who have long been using the principle without realizing the fact.
Back to Raymond Cottrell on Dr. Ford
Good News Unlimited
P.O. Box 6687
Auburn, CA 95602
(530) 823-9690