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Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time (Daniel 7:25 NKJV).
In this passage, a “time” represents a year. The period described as “time and times and half a time” is thus a three and a half year period. The New Century Version of the Bible renders the text "three and a half years." For further confirmation of this time period, we can turn to Revelation 12:14, which uses the same expression.
In other verses, the same event is described in different words. This parallelism gives us greater clarity about the precise time period involved. In Revelation 12:6, the same time period is given as, "a thousand two hundred and three score days." This is 1260 prophetic days, or three and a half prophetic years.
In Bible prophecy, a day represents a year. Numbers 14:34 says, “After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years.” See also Ezekiel 4:6.
According to the day-year principle, 1260 prophetic days becomes 1260 years. The word used here for "time" means a prophetic year consisting of 360 days. Therefore, "time and times and half a time" refers to three and a half prophetic years, consisting of 1260 prophetic days. This is highlighted in the parallelism of the prophecy in Revelation where the three and a half year period is equated with 1260 prophetic days, or 1260 literal years.
The Papacy would persecute the saints (God's people) for 1260 years. The legally recognized supremacy of the Pope began in 538 AD, when Emperor Justinian elevated the Bishop of Rome to the position of Head of all Churches. This is known as the Edict of Justinian.
Adding 1260 years to 538 AD brings us to 1798, which is the year the Pope was deposed when the French General Berthier, under Napoleon, led him into captivity. Napoleon apparently tried to crush the Papacy, and about 18 months later the Pope died in exile in Valence, France. This act ended papal power in terms of enforcing papal decrees.
The Bible clearly identifies the papal system as the Antichrist. The Papacy has placed itself in the place of Jesus Christ on Earth, and claims to be able to mediate between people and God. The great reformers were all united in their recognition of papal Rome as the Antichrist power.
But the Bible predicts that this same power will continue to reign until the end and will again enforce its decree contrary to God’s law.
Ahead to It shall devour the whole earth
Back to Daniel 7 Identifies the Antichrist
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This article is adapted from Truth Matters by Professor Walter J. Veith, an international speaker who has studied Biblical issues in-depth in his quest for truth. His popular series Genesis Conflict brings the debate between Creation and evolution to a new climax as he dissects the arguments with a scientific eye. His highly-acclaimed series Total Onslaught sheds light on the state of the world today as we move to a one-world government and an anticipated apocalypse.
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It is our sincere desire to lay the clear Word of God before you, the truth-seeking reader, so you may decide for yourself what is truth and what is error. If you find herein anything contrary to the Word of God, you need not accept it. But if you desire to seek for Truth as for hidden treasure, and find herein something of that quality, we encourage you to make all haste to accept that Truth which is revealed to you by the Holy Spirit.
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