The prophecy of 1,260 days in the book of Revelation has been the source of much discussion and debate among Bible scholars. It is mentioned several times in Revelation in reference to the activities and persecution of God’s people by an evil power. Here is an overview of the key points regarding this important prophetic time period:
The 1,260 Days in Revelation 11
In Revelation 11:2-3, the holy city (representing God’s people) is given over to be trampled by the nations (representing oppressive powers) for 42 months. Using the biblical reckoning of 30 days per month, 42 months equals 1,260 days. During this time, God’s two witnesses (representing the testimony of God’s people) prophecy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth (symbolizing mourning and persecution).
The 1,260 Days in Revelation 12
Revelation 12 describes a woman (representing God’s faithful people) who is persecuted by a dragon (representing Satan). She flees into the wilderness for 1,260 days (Revelation 12:6). Later we are told the dragon makes war against the woman’s offspring who keep God’s commandments, likely another reference to the 1,260 days of persecution (Revelation 12:17).
The 1,260 Days in Revelation 13
In Revelation 13, a beast with many heads and horns rises out of the sea as a symbol of the persecuting power of the antichrist. The beast is given authority to make war against the saints and to conquer them for 42 months (Revelation 13:5-7), which again equals 1,260 prophetic days.
Summary of the 1,260 Days
In each case, the 1,260 days refers to a time of persecution and oppression for God’s faithful people at the hands of an evil persecuting power. This prophetic time period is mentioned specifically 7 times in Revelation (11:2, 11:3, 12:6, 12:14, 13:5, see also Daniel 7:25, 12:7). The repetitive emphasis highlights that this set time period is important prophetically.
The Meaning and Significance
What is the meaning and significance of this prophetic period of 1,260 days? Here are some key insights:
- It is a symbolic number representing a limited, set period of persecution.
- It covers the time during which the persecuting power operates unhindered, trampling down God’s people.
- God is still sovereign, setting a limit on the duration of persecution.
- There will be an end to the persecution, tribulation and suffering.
- God will ultimately deliver His people after the set time.
- His faithful followers must persevere through this difficult time with patient endurance.
Overall, this prophetic timeframe represents a key period within salvation history during which God permits testing and persecution to come upon His church. But He promises to bring His people through it and ensure that the wicked powers will not prevail against the saints.
Historical Applications
Throughout church history, Bible scholars have sought to understand when this 1,260 day period took place. Some common interpretations include:
- The persecution of the church under Emperor Diocletian from 302-312 AD.
- The rule of papal Rome over Christendom from 538-1798 AD.
- A future time of persecution by a secular antichrist world power.
The most widely held view among conservative Protestants is that the 1,260 years refers to the religious and civil supremacy of papal Rome from 538-1798 AD. During this time, the Roman Catholic church severely persecuted those perceived as religious dissidents and heretics, including the people known as the Waldensians, Albigenses, Huguenots, and Protestants. This period of papal dominance was brought to an end in 1798 when the Pope was taken prisoner by France.
Future Application
While historicist interpretations connect this time prophecy to events in church history, some Bible teachers believe that the 1,260 days will have an end time fulfillment as well. Just as many prophecies in Scripture have both near and far fulfillments, this important prophetic timeframe may find expression both in history and in the final crisis at the close of earth’s history. This would involve an end-time antichrist power persecuting God’s faithful end-time people prior to the return of Jesus.
Prophetic Days Represent Years
An important interpretive key when deciphering prophetic time periods in the Bible is the “day for a year” principle laid out in Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6. This means that prophetic days often symbolize years in fulfillment. The 1,260 days of Revelation equate to 1,260 literal years of persecuting power exercized by forces in opposition to God’s truth and work in the world.
Characteristics of the Persecuting Power
Examining Revelation and other prophecies, we see that the power which persecutes the saints for 1,260 years exhibits the following characteristics:
- Rises to religious and political power (Revelation 13:1-2)
- Claims universal authority (Revelation 13:7)
- Blasphemes God, His name, and His tabernacle (Revelation 13:6)
- Makes war against the saints (Revelation 13:7)
- Rules over many people, nations, and tongues (Revelation 13:7)
- Has a man at its head who claims high authority (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
- Speaks pretentious words (Daniel 7:8, 7:20)
- Seeks to change God’s law (Daniel 7:25)
These characteristics point to papal Rome as the primary historical fulfillment. The Roman Catholic church rose to prominence in both religious and civil power, claiming universal authority over the churches and nations of Europe.
Papal Rome did blaspheme God by its teachings and practices, making war against those it considered heretics. The popes ruled over kings and emperors, exerting authority over Western Christendom for centuries. The man at the head of this system claimed titles belonging to God alone such as “Holy Father” and “Vicar of Christ.”
Additionally, Rome did seek to change God’s law by omitting the second commandment prohibition on images while also altering the fourth commandment to authorize Sunday observance instead of Sabbath observance. These prophetic descriptions align with the history and actions of papal Rome during the 1,260 years of its supremacy from 538-1798 AD.
While fulfilled historically, this apocalyptic time prophecy may also point forward eschatologically to a future antichrist figure who will replicate the persecuting behavior of papal Rome at the end of time. This endtime application remains to be fully realized.
End Time Parallels
There are some notable parallels between end time prophecies and the 1,260 day persecution of the tribulation saints by antichrist powers:
- An end time religious/political power will enforce false worship (Revelation 13:12,13)
- This results in a time of trouble for God’s faithful people (Daniel 12:1)
- Many are purified and made white during the persecution (Daniel 12:10)
- Bible prophecies provide assurance and hope (Revelation 13:10)
- God’s people must patiently endure and remain faithful (Revelation 14:12)
These end time prophecies evoke key themes and imagery from Revelation’s prophecies about the 1,260 day tribulation period. While the primary historical application relates to papal Rome, many see an antitypical fulfillment at the end of time as God’s people face pressures to compromise faith and conscience in light of the enforcement of false worship (Revelation 13:15-17).
God’s People Must Endure Patiently
A repeated theme in Revelation is that God’s people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful during this prophetic 1,260 day period:
- “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints” (Revelation 13:10).
- “Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on…they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them” (Revelation 14:13).
- “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).
God’s faithful people can have patient endurance knowing that this time of tribulation and persecution is limited to 1,260 days. God is sovereignly in control, setting a limit on the duration of this oppressive power. At the appointed time, He will bring deliverance to His people.
God Will Avenge His People
Not only does God limit the duration of persecution to 1,260 prophetic days, He also promises to judge and destroy the persecutor. The book of Revelation reveals God’s ultimate vengeance against the antichrist power:
- “God has remembered Babylon the Great and given her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath” (Revelation 16:19).
- “With violence Babylon will be thrown down” (Revelation 18:21).
- “The beast was captured, and…thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 19:20).
This shows that while God’s people may suffer for a time, He will bring justice, make right what was wrong, and destroy those who persecute and oppress. The 1,260 days are limited and will come to an end. God’s kingdom will be victorious.
God’s People Must Hold to His Commands
During this challenging prophetic time period, God’s faithful people are described as those who:
- “Keep God’s commands and remain faithful to Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).
- “Obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17).
This indicates that God’s end-time people will be distinctly identified by their faithful obedience to all of God’s commands, even in the face of opposition and persecution. When all are required to worship the beast and receive his mark, they must choose to worship God alone and follow the dictates of conscience according to His word. They are called to patient endurance in keeping God’s commands through the 1,260 days of tribulation.
The 1,260 Days Are Limited
In summary, the 1,260 prophetic days represent a limited period of persecution and trial for God’s people. Though it may seem overwhelming and unending at times, God never loses control. He sets a limit on the dominion of oppressive powers. His people must remain spiritually vigilant, clinging to Jesus with enduring faithfulness during this tribulation period. God will be with them, sustained them, and ultimately vindicate them. Then Christ will come to deliver His people and usher in His everlasting kingdom of righteousness.
The prophecy of 1,260 days serves as a crucial symbolic timeline in Revelation, lending encouragement that the suffering of the saints, though severe, will not last forever. God will be faithful to His people. He controls the limits of tribulation, promises to bring it to an end, and offers hope of His coming salvation. By patient endurance in loyalty to Jesus, the saints overcome even in the midst of persecution and great trial.