Frequently Asked Bible Questions

What are the 1,260, 1,290 and 1,335 days spoken of in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation?

Bible prophecies of the end times contain intriguing references to specific periods of time such as 1,260 days. What do they mean?

A period of 3½ years is a recurring theme in end-time Bible prophecy. The Beast that is described in the later chapters of Revelation is to receive power and authority from Satan for a period of 42 months (Revelation 13:5). That is the same length of time that gentiles will "tread" Jerusalem underfoot (Revelation 11:2). In Jerusalem, God promises to raise up two prophets to be His witnesses for 1,260 days. God "feeds" or provides for the woman of chapter 12, representing God's chosen people, for 1,260 days (verse 6). We are told she will be "nourished for a time and times and half a time [3½ years], from the presence of the serpent" (Revelation 12:14).

Daniel referred to a coming deceiver as a pompous "little horn" arising among the 10 horns on the fourth beast, warning that "the saints shall be given into his hand [as martyrs] for a time and times and half a time [3½ years]. But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever" (Daniel 7:25-26).

In another end-time prophecy, Daniel speaks of "the power of the holy people" as being shattered for the same period of time—3½ years (Daniel 12:7). This recurring reference certainly appears to be significant, indicating that a total of 3½ years will elapse from the beginning of Satan's attack on the people of God until God destroys his military and religious system and locks him away at Christ's return.

Regarding the 1,290 days and the 1,335 days referred to in Daniel 12:11-12, the context doesn't clearly explain these times. Nor do we have clear understanding of them from another part of the Bible. But we can have confidence that those who wait patiently on God through these terrible times will be blessed in God's soon-coming Kingdom.

Related Online Resources

Can We Know When?
The book of Revelation gives specific spans of time—1,260 days or 3½ years—during which events will take place leading up to Jesus Christ’s return and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

How long will the Great Tribulation mentioned in Bible prophecy last?
Jesus Christ prophesied a time of great trouble or tribulation to come in the end time. How long does the Bible say this tribulation will be?

What Is the 'Abomination of Desolation'? from The Middle East in Bible Prophecy
From the time the "abomination of desolation is set up," 1,290 days—a little more than 3½ years—would elapse until, apparently, the resurrection of Daniel and the rest of the saints would occur.

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