The books of Daniel and Revelation contain some perplexing references to different time periods during a time of great tribulation and persecution. Specifically, these books mention 1,260 days, 1,290 days, and 1,335 days. Understanding the meaning behind these varying time periods requires careful study of the biblical text.
First, it is important to understand that in biblical prophecy, days often represent years. The prophets frequently used the term “day” symbolically to refer to a “year” of actual time (Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34). This principle helps make sense of the prophetic time periods in Daniel and Revelation.
The 1,260 days (or 42 months or “a time, and times, and half a time”) is one of the most frequently mentioned time periods in biblical prophecy (Daniel 7:25, 12:7; Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6, 14, 13:5). This time period likely symbolizes 1,260 years, and many scholars believe it refers to the duration of the persecution of God’s people by the antichrist power in the Middle Ages from 538-1798 AD.
The prophecy in Daniel 12 gives two additional time periods: 1,290 days and 1,335 days. In Daniel 12:11, the angel tells Daniel, “From the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.” Then in the next verse he says, “Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.”
The context indicates that these two time periods begin at the same starting point as the 1,260 days, which was when the antichrist power took away the daily sacrifices and set up the abomination that brings desolation (likely referring to either the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD or the papal supremacy beginning in 538 AD). So the 1,290 days and 1,335 days must represent additional time that extends beyond the initial 1,260-day period of persecution.
Many scholars believe the 1,290 days (30 days more than the 1,260 days) represents a period of intensified persecution and the 1,335 days (75 days more than the 1,260 days) points forward to a future time of blessing and reward for the people of God who endure patiently. So the three time periods build on each other.
In summary, the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation mention 1,260 days referring to the persecution of God’s faithful people by the antichrist power during the Middle Ages. The 1,290 days represents an intensification of persecution, and the 1,335 days points ahead to the future deliverance and blessing for God’s people at the end of this present evil age.
These symbolic time prophecies all build on each other to portray a complete picture of the suffering and eventual vindication of God’s covenant community across history, providing hope that God is sovereign over the rise and fall of earthly powers. Through apocalyptic imagery and symbolic time periods, Daniel and Revelation assure God’s people that evil will not prevail forever, but God’s kingdom will ultimately triumph.
In the Bible, apocalyptic literature like Daniel and Revelation uses numbers and time periods symbolically to convey spiritual truths rather than giving precise time calculations. So the three time periods of 1,260 days, 1,290 days, and 1,335 days work together to symbolize the complete sequence of the persecution and future reward of God’s faithful people, with exact starting and ending dates being less significant.
By understanding the use of symbolic numbers in biblical prophecy, we can better appreciate the purpose and message of these intriguing apocalyptic texts. They were written as inspirational literature to encourage and comfort those suffering in times of trial, not to predict exact dates on a calendar. The varying time periods highlight that God’s plan unfolds in stages, but his purposes will prevail and his faithful people will be rewarded.
Though interpreters debate the precise historical fulfillments, the overarching message is clear: God is in control, the people of God will be preserved through even the darkest times, and their perseverance will ultimately be rewarded according to God’s perfect timing. The apocalyptic writings assure believers that present troubles are only temporary and God’s justice and salvation will come at the appointed time.
So rather than viewing the three time periods as contradictory, they can be seen as complementary parts of an inspiring spiritual vision. Across the centuries, these prophecies have strengthened God’s people to endure hardship and cling to hope until the end when all things will be made right and the Lord’s eternal kingdom shall triumph.
In summary:
- The 1,260 days refers to the persecution during the Middle Ages, using the day-year principle.
- The 1,290 days represents an intensification of persecution beyond the initial 1,260 days.
- The 1,335 days points forward to the future blessing and reward for God’s faithful people.
- The prophecies use symbolic numbers to portray the complete sequence from suffering to vindication.
- The time periods encourage perseverance with the promise of God’s ultimate justice.
So rather than contradicting, the three time periods present a united spiritual vision of the struggle and inevitable victory of God’s covenant community throughout history until Christ’s return.
Though the great tribulation is a complex topic with varying interpretations, we can be thankful that Scripture points us to hope. God has a trustworthy plan that we may not fully grasp, but He promises to sustain His people through every trial until the dawn of His kingdom. So we look forward confidently to the day when the prophetic clock will culminate in the glorious return of Christ to make all things new.
