The book of Revelation contains some fascinating symbolic language and imagery that has led to much discussion and debate over the centuries. One particular phrase that has garnered attention is the reference to a period of “forty-two months” found in Revelation 13:5.
In this verse, when speaking of the beast, it states: “And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.” This odd and specific timeframe of forty-two months has understandably led many to wonder what it could signify.
There are a few key things to understand about this enigmatic phrase:
- It equates to 3 1/2 years. Forty-two months of thirty days each (the length of a lunar month) equals 1260 days or 3 1/2 years of 360 days each.
- It is half of the symbolic “seven years” of Daniel 9:27. In apocalyptic biblical literature, the number seven represents completeness, wholeness, and fulfillment. So this “week” of seven years portrays the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
- It is likely meant to echo the 3 1/2 year earthly ministry of Jesus. The life and ministry of Christ ushered in the arrival of God’s Kingdom in a pivotal way. So this 3 1/2 year period indicates a similar special time of God’s work on earth.
- It signifies a time of distress, trial, and persecution. Scripture often uses 3 1/2 years to depict times of suffering before the end (see Daniel 7:25, 12:7; Revelation 11:2). This emphasizes the hardship of the faithful during this time where evil reigns.
- It represents a broken or incomplete time under the domination of evil. Only half of the ideal “week,” pointing to a period unable to reach the full purposes of God because of the working of sin and evil.
- It carries the idea of a fixed, limited period of time. God is in control, and evil will only be allowed to go so far before facing judgment.
So in summary, this cryptic phrase of forty-two months seems to communicate that the beast or antichrist will exercise authority and oppress God’s people for 3 1/2 years. While distressing, this broken period of evil will be limited by God’s sovereign decree. And it indicates a key time of tribulation that precedes Christ’s return.
This specific time reference occurs in various places in biblical prophecy to depict:
- A critical period of intense persecution for God’s people when evil appears to rule.
- A set duration where God permits evil to run its course as part of His divine plan.
- A period of suffering that ushers in God’s Kingdom and the final destruction of evil.
Overall, this symbolic time points forward to a climactic period in human history when God’s truth and people will be assaulted by radical evil empowered by Satan. Yet God limits the duration of this tribulation, and in the end it sets the stage for Christ’s triumphant return to establish His eternal Kingdom where all wrongs will be made right.
While much mystery remains, the forty-two months of Revelation 13 gives insight into God’s purposeful and controlled response to a time of terrible evil when the antichrist is granted authority. It reveals that God is sovereign even in the darkest times. This period will be intense but limited for the sake of God’s people. And it will transition into the glorious return of Christ to defeat evil once and for all.
Old Testament background
The time reference of forty-two months has connections back to the book of Daniel. Daniel 9:27 refers to a “week” that many see as pointing to a seven-year period of tribulation. This may provide background context for the use of forty-two months (or 3 1/2 years) in Revelation. Daniel’s vision speaks of seventieth “seven” that involves intense distress and the end of sacrifice and offering.
This prophecy of a seven year period of tribulation ending in God’s eternal kingdom also reinforces how forty-two months indicates a time of trouble and suffering under the reign of the antichrist. Yet after this broken and incomplete span, the full purposes of God are ushered in Christ’s return in glory.
Connection to events in Revelation
References to forty-two months in Revelation point to a key period within the larger narrative and timeline of events. In chapter 11, the beast is allowed to conquer and kill the two witnesses from God after they prophesy for 1,260 days (42 months). Then in chapter 13, authority is given to the beast to exercise power and make war on the saints for forty-two months.
These parallel accounts reveal a focused time where evil appears dominant and directly threatens God’s people. But this fixed window where persecution rages then transitions to God’s judgment on the beast, plagues, and the ultimate defeat of Satan. So this span marks a pivotal episode within the broader chronology of Revelation that leads ultimately to Christ’s victorious return.
Connection to ministry of Jesus
The three and a half years of Jesus’ earthly ministry also provides background for this prophetic period. Christ’s first coming marked a critical turning point in history as He ushered in the Kingdom in a new way. His ministry shook the powers of darkness and offered redemption to all who would believe.
In a similar manner, the forty-two months represents another key season where God’s purposes unfold in an important way. This limited window of difficulty sets the stage for the ultimate triumph of good over evil at Christ’s second coming. So it parallels the earthly ministry of Jesus that ushered in radical change for eternity.
Sources of imagery
The concept of forty-two months borrows imagery from a number of sources that shape its meaning:
- The broken seven of Daniel’s seventieth week
- The 3 1/2 years of famine and hardship in the days of Elijah (Luke 4:25, James 5:17)
- The trampling of Jerusalem by the nations for “times, time, and half a time” (Daniel 7:25, 12:7)
- Jesus’ ministry as a herald of the Kingdom of God
Drawing from these Old Testament precursors, this symbolic span represents a limited season of difficulty and darkness ordained by God to transition into the fullness of His eternal reign.
Relation to other time spans in Revelation
The book of Revelation contains several important time references that work together to portray the chronology of last days events. Some other key spans include:
- 1,260 days – The ministry period of the two witnesses (Revelation 11:3)
- 1,000 years – The length of Christ’s millennial reign (Revelation 20:2-7)
- 5 months – The time given to the locusts to torment (Revelation 9:5)
- 1 hour – When the 10 kings are to receive authority as kings (Revelation 17:12)
These numbers are not literal, but rather symbolic of the fixed and limited nature of tribulation, evil, and even the idyllic millennium. Throughout, God reigns sovereign over times and seasons. The forty-two months fits as a key piece of the sequential unfolding of prophetic events leading up to eternity.
New Testament eschatology
This time reference forms an integral part of New Testament eschatology – the study of end times events. The number forty-two, and other versions of 3 1/2 years, surface in these key passages related to the end of the age:
- Daniel 9:27 – The seventieth “seven” that culminates in the end of the age.
- Daniel 12:7 – A time, times, and half a time when the power of the holy people will be shattered.
- Revelation 11:2 – The nations will trample the holy city for 42 months.
- Revelation 13:5 – The beast will exercise authority for 42 months.
- Revelation 12:14 – The woman is nourished for 1,260 days (or time, times, and half a time) in the wilderness.
This repeated motif ties many end time prophecies together, forming a coherent timeline that climaxes with the return of Christ and the final judgment.
Questions answered
This important time reference brings up a number of questions. Here are some answers to a few key issues:
Are the 42 months literal?
It is unlikely this is a literal or precise time period. The number is symbolic of a fixed period of hardship and trial ordained by God.
When does this 42 month period occur?
Within Revelation, it transpires during the events leading up to Christ’s second coming, in the midst of intense persecution unleashed by the antichrist.
Is there agreement on the meaning?
While interpretations differ, most see it as a symbolic span of tribulation controlled by God’s sovereignty to transition into the full establishment of His eternal Kingdom.
Is this reference only in Revelation?
The book of Daniel contains parallel prophecies that also employ this important symbolic timeframe, confirming its role in end time prophecy.
How can we apply this symbol today?
It reminds us that God is in control even of periods when evil reigns for a season. He sets limits on suffering, and it ushers in Christ’s victory.
Conclusions
The forty-two months of Revelation 13 represents a key period during the end times when evil will temporarily flourish. Yet God remains sovereign over this fixed span, ushering in the triumph of Christ and eternity after this brief season comes to an end. This important time reference reinforces that God will allow tribulation only as long as He decrees. And even dire times of trial play a purposeful part in His glorious and unstoppable plans.