The "2300 years" in the Bible refers to the prophetic period mentioned in Daniel 8:14: “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” In prophetic interpretation, a day often represents a year (see Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6), so the 2300 days are understood as 2300 literal years. Here is a summary of the explanation based on Ellen White's writings: - The starting point for the 2300 years is the decree to restore and build Jerusalem, which went into effect in the autumn of 457 B.C. (see Ezra 7). - The first 490 years (the "seventy weeks" of Daniel 9:24-27) are "cut off" for the Jewish people and reach to A.D. 34, marking the end of special probation for the Jews. - The 69 weeks (483 years) of this period reach to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who was baptized and anointed in A.D. 27. In the middle of the 70th week (A.D. 31), Christ was crucified. - After the 490 years, 1810 years remain (2300 - 490 = 1810). Adding 1810 years to A.D. 34 brings us to the autumn of 1844. - The prophecy concludes that in 1844, the "sanctuary shall be cleansed." This was initially misunderstood as the second coming of Christ, but later understood by Adventists as the beginning of Christ's ministry in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary—a key doctrine in Seventh-day Adventist theology. Key references from Ellen White: - “The 2300 days had been found to begin when the commandment of Artaxerxes for the restoration and building of Jerusalem went into effect, in the autumn of B.C. 457... From A.D. 34, 1810 years extend to 1844. ‘Then,’ said the angel, ‘shall the sanctuary be cleansed.’” (GC88 409.3) - “The seventy weeks—490 days—having been cut off from the 2300, there were 1810 days remaining. From A.D. 34, 1810 years extend to 1844. Consequently the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14 terminate in 1844.” (GC88 328.2) - “A day in prophecy stands for a year. See Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6.” (PK 698.1) In summary, the 2300 years prophecy is a timeline stretching from 457 B.C. to 1844 A.D., marking significant events in salvation history and the beginning of the "cleansing of the sanctuary" in heaven according to Adventist belief. References: - White, E. G. (1888). The Great Controversy (GC88), pp. 328, 409. - White, E. G. (1917). Prophets and Kings (PK), p. 698.