In changing the Sabbath, the Papacy struck directly at the very heart and seal of the law of God, just as in substituting its own mediatorial system for that of Christ’s it struck directly at the heavenly sanctuary and its service, which, in his epistle to the Hebrews, Paul shows to be the very heart and essence of the gospel. 20. What question was asked in the hearing of the prophet? “Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, _How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice_, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden underfoot?” Dan. 8:13. 21. What answer was addressed to Daniel? “And he said unto me, _Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed_.” Verse 14. NOTE.—In verse 13, R. V., the vision is clearly defined. It is “the vision concerning the continual burnt offering [or continual mediation], and the transgression that maketh desolate,” which results in giving both the sanctuary and the people of God to be trodden underfoot. The time when the vision was to have its special application is stated in verse 17 to be “at the time of the end,” or in the last days. This is additional proof that this prophecy was to find its complete fulfilment in papal Rome only, as pagan Rome passed away many centuries ago. The sanctuary and the twenty-three-hundred-day period here referred to are considered at length in succeeding readings. See pages 230, 238. 22. What prophetic period begins at the time when the continual mediation of Christ was taken away by the Papacy? “And from the time that the continual burnt offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be _a thousand two hundred and ninety days_.” Dan. 12:11, R. V.