1260 Days
This prophetic time period is mentioned seven times in Daniel and Revelation:
- In Revelation 11:3, this is the period of time during which God's "two witnesses" prophesy, clothed in sackcloth.
- In Revelation 12:6, the "woman" flees into the wilderness during this period of time.
- Revelation 12:14 parallels Revelation 12:6, showing that "a time, and times, and half a time" is the same as 1260 days. A "time" is one year with 360 prophetic days. "Times" indicates two years, or 720 prophetic days. "Half a time" is half a year, or 180 prophetic days. The total is 1260 days.
- Daniel 7:25 uses the same designation as we find in Revelation 12:14. Here it refers to the period during which the "little horn" holds dominion on earth.
- Daniel 12:7 directs us to the same period in answer to the question "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?" (verse 6).
- In Revelation 13:5, the beast was given power for 42 months. With 30 days to a month, this is 1260 days.
- In Revelation 11:2 the "holy city" is trodden under foot by the gentiles for the same period of time.
In summary: The 1260 days is the period during which the little horn or beast power was to exercise authority on earth and oppress God's people. In prophetic symbolism,
a "day" stands for a year in actual time. Thus this period describes 1260 years during which the little horn was to maintain supremacy. This period lasted from A.D. 538-1798.
For information on the historical events which marked the beginning and the end of this period, see the documentation on the 1260 years.