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.