The Antichrist term of seven years is prophesied in Daniel 9:24-27 as the last week of the decreed seventy weeks. This is the tribulation period. Both Daniel and Revelation prophesized about this period and divided it into two equal segments, which is why both books can be studied together. However, while revelation mentions 1260 days in reference to the two halves of the Antichrist’s seven-year term, Daniel made an additional mention of 1290 days and 1335 days, that needs to be studied closely for complete understanding of associated events.
As we see in Daniel 9:27, tribulation starts with Antichrist signing a treaty with Israel or with many nations including Israel. However, in the middle of his 7-year term, corresponding to one prophetic week (i.e., 7days: 2 = 31/2 days or 1,260 days, using a “prophetic year” of 360 days), Antichrist will break the treaty and set up an abomination that causes desolation in the temple. Apostle John also mentioned something that will happen in the first half of the tribulation period as we see in Revelation 11:3 says, “And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” The two divinely appointed witnesses will preach and perform miracles and be killed at the midpoint of the tribulation. According to both sources, the first half of tribulation will end with the break of treaty by Antichrist and the killing of two divine appointed witnesses.
Likewise, the second half of the tribulation lasts another 1,260 days (another 3½ years), for a total of seven years. The second half of the tribulation period begins as the Antichrist breaks the treaty to set up a profane and sacrilegious object of worship in the Jewish temple (See also Matthiew 24:15) and ends when the Antichrist is defeated by Jesus Christ at the battle of Armageddon. Revelation 11:9 is so clear about the length of the second half of the tribulation as another 3.5 years (1260 days). After finishing their testimony, the beast (Antichrist) that comes up out of the abyss will make war on them, conquer them, and kill them. “Their bodies will lie in the streets for three and a half days as the world celebrates their demise; then they will be resurrected and taken up to heaven” (Revelation 11:7–13). The time corresponds also to the 42 months of Revelation 11:2; 13:5 that Jesus will allow the evil to rule. We know from the words of Jesus Himself that, in this second half of Antichrist term, tribulation will be even more severe than in the first half; hence the name Great Tribulation. He adds that the time of difficulty will be cut short—if it were not, no one would survive (Matthew 24:22).
Now that we know the significance of 1260 days mentioned in both books, let’s study closely Angel’s mention of 1290 days and 1335 days [to Daniel] in the tribulation period. This is found in Daniel 12:11-12 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.”
The days mentioned in the above verses deal with specific time periods associated with the great tribulation (second half of the 7-year term of the Antichrist). The 1290 days reflect 30 days longer than the second half of the tribulation. Different ideas have been put forward to explain what happens during those extra 30 days. One likely theory is that the land of Israel will be rebuilt that month after the devastation it suffered during the tribulation and the battle of Armageddon.
We also see an additional 45 days on top of the 30 days above, making it 1,335 days after the breaking of the treaty, after which something else will happen. The Angel who speaks to Daniel does not explicitly say what will happen, but he does say that those who remain until the end of this segment (75 days after the end of the tribulation) will be “blessed”. The blessing here is entry into the millennial kingdom. What will happen during these 45 days? Most likely, this is when the judgment of the Gentiles, described in Matthew 25:31-46, will take place. In this judgment, also called the judgment of the sheep and the goats, the Gentiles are judged for their treatment of Israel during the tribulation. So, those who survive the tribulation and survive the sheep and goat judgment will enter the millennium. This is a blessing, indeed.
Now let's try to summarize these events in a short timeline as follows:
- Very soon (as we clearly see the signs), Jesus comes to take His church.
- At some point after the rapture of the church, the Antichrist takes power to begin his 7-year term (tribulation period).
- At the midpoint of the tribulation (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty to set up an abomination in the temple and begins to persecute the Jews.
- At the end of the tribulation (1,260 days after the desecration of the temple), Jesus Christ returns to earth and defeats the forces of the Antichrist in the Battle of Armageddon
- During the next 30 days (leading up to 1,290 days after the desecration of the temple), Israel is rebuilt, and the earth is restored.
- In the next 45 days (leading up to 1,335 days after the desecration of the temple), the Gentile nations are judged for their treatment of Israel.
- The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3, 5–6).
- After the millennium, Satan is released to bring about the battle of Gog and Magog before the old system is gone and God's people live with Him forever and ever.
Related Articles:
- Who is the Antichrist: the second person in Satan's unholy trinity of the end times?
- Who is the False Prophet: The Third Person in Satan's Unholy Trinity of the End Times?
- Is the Antichrist all set to rise to power?
Further Resources
- Discover online ministry opportunities at Open Christian Ministries
- Online Christian degree from Open Christian University (USA)
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