1,260 Days = 42 Months = Time, Times, and Half a Time?
The prophecy of 1,260 days has been mentioned several times in the Bible. Which period does this refer to? And what will happen in these 1,260 days? (*one year = 360 days in Hebrew calendar).
It appears that the Bible uses different terms to describe this period. From the verses below, we can assume that the terms "1,260 days", "42 months", and "times, times, and half a time" all refer to the same period.
So, what will happen during this 3.5 years?
The following verse shows that two things will happen simultaneously during this period, which is referred as "42 months" and "1,260 days". It also appears that these incidents will happen in the final years of this world.
1. Gentiles will trample on the holy city (Jerusalem) for 42 months.
2. God's two witnesses will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.
But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. Revelation 11:2-3
3. The Anti-Christ will be given authority during these 42 months. He will blaspheme against God, change times and laws, and persecute the holy people.
The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. Revelation 13:5
He will speak against the Most High and oppress His holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. Daniel 7:25
4. Abomination of Desolation will be set up in God's Temple
The meaning of "abomination of desolation" is not clearly stated in the Bible, but since sacrifice and offering will be ended at the same time, we can speculate that this event refers to the setting up an idol image in the temple.
This incident will happen in the middle of the last seven years from the time the anti-Christ makes a peace covenant with many, and this "abomination" will mark the beginning of the 1,260 days' "tribulation".
He (anti-Christ) will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. Daniel 9:27
5. A War will Break Out in Israel
It is prophesied in the Book of Ezekiel that Gog of Magog will invade the Land of Israel during a time when the Israelites are living in peace. However, due to the continuous conflicts of Israel with other nations, it is not foreseeable that any real peace can be attained in the near future. It seems like the highest possibility is the time when the anti-Christ makes a peace treaty for Israel.
In that day, when My people Israel are living without fear of danger, will you (Gog) not be moved against them? And you will come from your place in the inmost parts of the north, you and a great number of peoples with you, all of them on horseback, a great force and a strong army: And you will come up against My people Israel, like a cloud covering the land; and it will come about, in the last days. Ezekiel 38:14-16
This incident is further confirmed by Daniel who also prophesied that there will be a war in Israel in the End Times, and the invader will come from the North.
At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. He will also invade the Glorious Land (Israel). Many countries will fall. Daniel 11:40-41
When Jesus warned his disciples to flee from Judea when they see the "abomination of desolation", He may also be referring to this War which will break out in Israel.
So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Mark 13:14
6. Israel will be Supernaturally Protected by God
Will Israel be in danger? The Bible tells us that Israel (the "woman") will flee to the wilderness for 1,260 days, or for "a time, times, and half a time". It is probably difficult for us to imagine now how this is going to happen, but we can rest assured that Israel will be protected by God in a supernatural way.
The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. Revelation 12:6
But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. Revelation 12:14
7. The anti-Christ will Come to his End, and No One will Help him
After these 1,260 days, the beast kingdom will be broken down by God Himself, and no one will help the anti-Christ when he comes to his end.
You (king Nebuchadnezzar) watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay (last kingdom on earth), and broke them in pieces. Daniel 2:34
And he (anti-Christ) shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him. Daniel 11:45
How Should We Prepare for This?
Actually I am quite surprised that many people still think these events are far away,
With the current chaotic situations all over the world, both externally (wars and international conflicts) and internally (increasing crimes), it is very likely that a "peace maker" will soon arise to put an end to these chaos. However, we must not be deceived because the Bible has already warned us that he will not keep his promise, and will instead oppress the holy people and persecute them severely.
Let us therefore keep a clear mind to Not be Deceived, and persevere in our faith!
What about 1,290 Days, 1,335 Days, and 2,300 Days?
In addition to the prophecy of 1,260 days, Daniel also prophesied about 1,290 days, 1,335 days and 2,300 days. So, what will happen after these 1,260 days are over? We will continue to discuss about these prophecies in Part Two, Part Three, and Part Four.
Dear readers, please stay tuned :)