The King’s Meat: Would Daniel Still Eat Fish?

By: Kelly Santee

Although Daniel 1 easily could be summed up as the “captivity chapter,” where that great 70-year prophecy began and Jerusalem was invaded by Nebuchadnezzar’s army, it usually is remembered more for Daniel’s stand against the king’s meat. The fact of the matter is that the majority of Daniel 1 deals with this issue. For even though the rest of Daniel seems to steer entirely toward prophetic events, the reality is that it begins with “the health message” right at the onset. And for Seventh-day Adventists, this is very applicable today.

Now, in keeping this subject relevant and pointed, we are going to be focusing solely on meat eating alone without going into the various factions this chapter can present. In other words, we won’t be discussing wine and strong drink (Prov. 20:1), clean and unclean meats (Leviticus 11), or meats offered to idols (1 Corinthians but simply meat eating itself. For a quick scriptural reference to these subjects, though, please see the supplied texts.

I might just mention up front that we have no idea whether Daniel ate fish or not. Though we can easily assume he did, along with lamb and other clean meats of their day, the fact still remains that Jesus ate fish over 600 years later. So, what Daniel ate or didn’t eat, is irrelevant in light of this. Yet, because of the correlation of Daniel’s day and our own day in terms of biblical prophecy and the health message, we simply are going to take the opportunity briefly to visit this subject so often misunderstood.

Having spent nearly twenty years in academy food service, I can say of a surety that the subject of meat eating is still a hot button for many Seventh-day Adventists. There is hardly a day that goes by where a student doesn’t ask that all-time question, “Why can’t we serve meat?” To which that infamous punch line is usually added, “After all, Jesus ate fish.” And the reality is, they deserve an honest answer.

In fact, not too many years ago, a brief survey was taken at one of our academy’s that showed that nearly 80 percent of our students ate meat on a regular basis at home. And more than half of the academy staff preferred it in their own diet, as well. Now, whether or not that percentage rate has increased or declined since then could probably be debated. But recent indications show this percentage to be remaining very strong, even today.

Now, whether or not you are a vegetarian, it isn’t hard to imagine the frustration one experiences when they are biblically shown the differences between clean and unclean meats, only to be told afterward, “Well, we’re really not suppose to eat it at all.” I know I certainly would be asking what the point was, then, of going through the long explanation of the various meats in the first place. And I would like to try to attempt to answer this in a very simple way.

First of all, we know that when God created the world, meat was never given to be eaten (Gen. 1:29), as there was no sin or death of any kind. In fact, even after sin, God did not specify the use of meat for food until after the Flood, some 2,000 years later (Gen. 9:3).

Second, we know that when we get to heaven there will be no meat being served there, as well. In Isaiah 11:6–9 and 65:25, we can read about the animals living together with humans in perfect harmony, without anything being destroyed or hurt anymore. And in Revelation 21:4 we read again about no more death, sorrow, or pain of any kind.

So, the real question comes down to this. If God gave us meat to eat, about 4,000 years ago to date, and we know we won’t be eating it in heaven, at what point are we to give it up? Do we wait till the day we are actually translated to heaven? Or do we give it up before? If we are to give it up before, where is the biblical proof going against Genesis 9:3? Many have argued that when we get to heaven we simply will be changed in every area of our lives. After all, we still have to wear clothes now, but in heaven we’ll have robes of light. Even our human waste system will change, etc., etc., etc.

Well, there’s no question those are definitely good arguments. Even Ellen White’s 1909 counsel that “we are not to make the matter of meat eating a test of fellowship” was reiterated on October 10, 1911, when she wrote, “I am not prepared to advise that we make the matter of meat eating a test question with our people.”–MS 23, 1911. So, where does this leave us with our ultimate question from the beginning, “Would Jesus (or Daniel) still eat fish if he were here on earth today?”

Before, we answer this directly, I’d like to submit a simple observation. Even though God did give permission to eat meat in Genesis 9:3, the following verse (4) clearly spells out that they were never to eat the blood that came in it. And without listing any other details we often hear about regarding scientific evidence of today’s animal diseases and various health-related issues, we might do well to remember this one verse alone. For there basically are only three things that give meat its flavor—the blood, uric acid, and fat content combined. And if these various elements were to be taken out before the meat was thoroughly cooked and eaten, it would be virtually tasteless.

One of the clearest texts regarding this subject can be found in Numbers 11:33. Here we read a story about the children of Israel eating “clean meat,” which God Himself had not only permitted them to eat but had actually provided for them, as well. However, “While the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague.” And though some may choose to argue this was merely a theocracy under the old leviratical laws, I’d like to submit that the health principle of Genesis 9:4 still stands true, even today.

But now back to our question. “Would Jesus himself still eat fish if he were here today?” Well, in all my searching throughout the Scriptures, I never have found one text that specifically spells this answer out. Yet, I am reminded of a theologian who once was asked where the “proof text” was that Moses was ever raised from the dead, as Jude 1:9 technically never says he was. And his answer was obviously profound when he replied with confidence, “There isn’t one.” But the fact he was talking with Jesus well over a thousand years later, as recorded in Matthew 17:3, is plenty of proof for me.

And so it is that I’d like to submit the following statements found in the Spirit of Prophecy (The Testimony of Jesus—Rev. 19:10) to His remnant church, for this special judgment hour in which we live. For as God is looking to present a holy and peculiar people unto the world who will glorify Him fully in all they do and say, as well as eat and drink, it seems only reasonable that Jesus Himself would follow His own council given if He were here on earth today. For with our privilege of looking forward to translation to heaven without seeing death (something the disciples could only dream about) comes even the greater responsibility of preparing now to live there.

“Greater reforms should be seen among the people who claim to be looking for the soon appearing of Christ. Health reform is to do among our people a work which it has not yet done. There are those who ought to be awake to the danger of meat eating, who are still eating the flesh of animals, thus endangering the physical, mental, and spiritual health. Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat eating will go from God’s people to walk no more with them.”—Ellen G. White, Review & Herald, May 27, 1902, emphasis supplied.

  “Vegetables, fruits, and grains should compose our diet. Not an ounce of flesh meat should enter our stomachs. The eating of flesh is unnatural. We are to return to God’s original purpose in the creation of man.”—Ellen G. White, MS 115 (General Manuscript regarding sanitarium work), p. 1903, emphasis supplied.

“Meat should not be placed before our children. Its influence is to excite and strengthen the lower passions and has a tendency to deaden the moral powers. Grains and fruits prepared free from grease, and in as natural a condition as possible, should be the food for the tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation to heaven.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 352, 1869, emphasis supplied.

“Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to his original design, –that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth. Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat-eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view, and endeavor to work steadily toward it. I cannot think that in the practice of flesh-eating we are in harmony with the light which God has been pleased to give us. ”—Ellen G. White, Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, p. 119, 1890, emphasis supplied.

“When will those who know the truth take their stand on the side of right principles for time and for eternity? When will they be true to the principles of health reform? When will they learn that it is dangerous to use flesh meat? I am instructed to say that if ever meat eating were safe, it is not safe now.”—Ellen G. White, Manuscript, 133, 1902, emphasis supplied.

“At this stage of the earth’s history meat-eating is dishonoring to God. It is meat-eating and liquor-drinking that are making the world as it was in the days of Noah…Those who believe present truth should refuse to drink tea or coffee; for these excite a desire for stronger stimulants. They should refuse to eat flesh-meat; for this, too excites a desire for strong drink. Wholesome food, prepared with taste and skill, should be our diet now.”—Ellen G. White, Bible Training School, July 1, 1902, emphasis supplied.

“It has been clearly presented to me that God’s people are to take a firm stand against meat eating. Would God for thirty years give His people the message that if they desire to have pure blood and clear minds, they must give up the use of flesh meat, if He did not want them to heed this message?”—Ellen G. White, Letter 48, 1902, emphasis supplied.

“By departing from the plan divinely appointed for their diet, the Israelites suffered great loss. They desired a flesh diet, and they reaped its results. They did not reach God’s ideal of character or fulfill His purpose. The Lord ‘gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.’ Psalm 106:15. They valued the earthly above the spiritual, and the sacred pre-eminence which was His purpose for them they did not attain.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 312; 1905, emphasis supplied.

“Is it not time that all should aim to dispense with flesh foods? How can those who are seeking to become pure, refined, and holy, that they may have the companionship of heavenly angels, continue to use as food anything that has so harmful an effect on soul and body?”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 317; 1905, emphasis supplied.

“Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the use of flesh foods, tea, and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food preparations, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by sacrifice, will not continue to indulge their appetite for food that they know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, pp. 153, 154; 1909, emphasis supplied.

“It is for their own good that the Lord counsels the remnant church to discard the use of flesh meats, tea, and coffee, and other harmful foods. There are plenty of other things on which we can subsist that are wholesome and good.”—Ellen G. White, Manuscript, 71, 1908, emphasis supplied.

In conclusion, I’d like to suggest it’s not about what Jesus did some 2,000 years ago. The real question is what would He do right now? For 2,000 years ago, He still was dying for our sins as the Lamb of God while today He is ministering on our behalf in the Most Holy Place as our High Priest. Other points might include Matthew 26:29 where we read that he is currently refraining from grape juice (obviously not health related), even though He definitely drank it while He was here, and ultimately plans to drink it again in the near future. Even the fact that He walked around in a robe, while today most of us wear pants, should help us in being more studious on this subject.

In other words, to continue comparing the issues of meat eating from past generations, whether it be the days of Adam and Methuselah or those of Noah, Daniel and Jesus, is irrelevant. It reminds me of John 21:18, 19 where Jesus had just told Peter how he would one day be martyred. But as John was standing nearby, “Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me” (vss. 21, 22).

And to those of us in this final generation who are today preparing for translation, I simply submit that our day in the prophetic time line has come. It’s time to return to God’s original plan for our lives in the way we live. It’s time to get ready to meet our Lord and Savior in the air. It’s time to practice what we preach. It’s time that whatever we eat, drink, or whatsoever we do, that we do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).