Book of Revelation – Page 3

One of the keys to interpreting the book of Revelation is discerning the time period of the “time, times, and half a time,” also called the 42 months and the 1,260 days. As will be seen, what conclusions one makes regarding this time period impacts the interpretation of the entire book. The “time, times, and half a time,” the 42 months, and the 1,260 days mentioned in Revelation chapters 11–13 all refer to the period between Jesus’ ascension and return. Thus, the “time, times, and half a time” is a symbolic period in which all Christians currently live. It must first be acknowledged that the book of Revelation is not explicitly clear regarding whether or not the “time, times, and half a time” is a literal time period or a symbolic time period. It is also not explicitly clear about when the “time, times, and half a time” begins and when it ends. However, there are enough clear clues in the book for us to be fairly certain about the time period to which the “time, times, and half a time” refers. In order to understand and accurately interpret the “time, times, and half a time” in the book of Revelation, this article will first show that all references to a 3.5-year time period refer to the same period. Then I will discern the beginning of the 3.5-year period based on the biblical text, followed by the end of the 3.5-year period based on the biblical text. This will allow us accurately determine the time period to which the “time, times, and half a time” refers. All References to a 3.5-Year Period Refer to the Same Period Throughout Revelation chapters 11–13, the book of Revelation refers to three periods of time that all equal 3.5 years: 42 months (Rev 11:2; 13:5) 1,260 days (Rev 11:3; 12:6) Time, times, and half a time (Rev 12:14). A “time” equals one year; “times” equal two years; “half a time” equals half a year. Thus, 1 year + 2 years + 0.5 years = 3.5 years. The 42 months, 1,260 days, and the “time, times, and half a time” all refer to the same 3.5-year period. First, Revelation 11:2–3 speaks about a time period when the nations (or Gentiles) will trample the holy city and God’s two witnesses will prophesy. The time period in which these two events both happen is described as “forty-two months” in verse 2 and “1,260 days” in verse 3. Thus, because the events in Revelation 11:2–3 happen during the same period, we can confidently conclude that 42 months and 1,260 days refer to the same period. Because the 42 months and 1,260 days in Revelation 11:2–3 refer to the same period, we can then confidently assert that (a) the 42 months mentioned in Revelation 13:5 refers to the same time period as the 42 months in 11:2 and (b) the 1,260 days mentioned in Revelation 12:6 refers to the same time period as the 1,260 days in 11:3. This leaves us with only the “time, times, and half a time” mentioned in Revelation 12:14 unaccounted for. Revelation chapter 12 has made it clear that the “time, times, and half a time” of Revelation 12:14 refers to the same period as the 1,260 days of Revelation 12:6. During both periods of time the woman of Revelation 12 flees into the wilderness where she is nourished: Revelation 12:6Revelation 12:14 “and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.” “But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.” *Similarities between Revelation 12:6 and 12:14 As can be seen from the comparison above, the woman of Revelation 12 flees into the wilderness where she is nourished for a 3.5-year period. The woman does not flee into the wilderness two separate times, nor is she nourished for two separate 3.5-year periods. Revelation is recounting the same event twice, clearly equating the 1,260 days of Revelation 12:6 with the “time, times, and half a time” of Revelation 12:14. Since the “time, times, and half a time” of Revelation 12:14 is equated with the 1,260 days of Revelation 11:3 and 12:6, which is equated with the 42 months of Revelation 11:2 and 13:5, we can confidently conclude that the 42 months, 1,260 days, and the “time, times, and half a time” all refer to the same 3.5-year period. Some theological systems, such as dispensationalism, believe the multiple references to a 3.5-year period refer to two distinct time periods. However, as you have seen above, this position is untenable. Revelation 11–13 clearly refers to only one 3.5-year period. The next major question to answer is to what period in history this 3.5 years refers. Upon answering that question, we will be able to determine whether or not this 3.5-year period is a literal 3.5 years or is symbolic for a certain period of time. The way we answer this question is by determining when the biblical text says the 3.5-year period begins and when it ends. The 3.5-Year Period Begins at Jesus’ Ascension The Activities during the 3.5-Year Period Revelation 11–13 state four different activities that happen during the entire 3.5-year period: The nations/Gentiles trample the holy city (Rev 11:2) The two witnesses prophesy (Rev 11:3) The woman is nourished in the wilderness (Rev 12:6, 14) The Sea Beast exercises authority (Rev 13:5) Where to Search for the Beginning of the 3.5-Year Period If we can determine from the book of Revelation when one of the above activities begins, then we can discern the beginning of the of 3.5-year period. The difficulty with this task is the controversial nature of the four activities. For example, which city is “the holy city” in Revelation 11:2? Although some say it is Jerusalem in the middle east, the book of Revelation only labels the New Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven as “the holy city” (Rev 21:2, 10; 22:19). Who are the two witnesses? Some say they are two individuals; others say they are symbolic for the church (with good reason). Who is the woman and what does it mean for her to be nourished? Finally, who is the Sea Beast and when does he receive and exercise his authority? All of these are valid questions and make identifying when the 3.5-year period begins difficult to discern. Fortunately, there is a way to discern when the 3.5-year period begins without answering any of the above questions. If we focus on the gospel (the one thing all Christians know best), then we can discern when these events begin without fully understanding them all. Thankfully, the gospel is clearest in Revelation 12:1–12. Before we analyse Revelation 12:1–12, we need to ensure that we understand the gospel. In short, the gospel is that Jesus died on the cross for sins, rose from the dead three days later, ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, and those who believe this will obtain forgiveness of sins and salvation. The Beginning of the 3.5-Year Period Based on Revelation 12:1–12 Revelation 12:1–5 depicts Satan’s attempt to kill Jesus and Jesus’ ascension into heaven. We first meet Satan in Revelation 12:3–4 where he is described as a dragon standing before a pregnant woman in labour ready to pounce, kill, and eat the woman’s child. We know the dragon represents Satan because of 12:9 where the dragon is described as “that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan.” In the following verse (Rev 12:5), the child is born and then “caught up to God and to his throne.” The child is clearly Jesus because he is said to “rule all the nations with a rod of iron” (Rev 12:5), which is the same description of Jesus in 19:15. Revelation 12:5 depicts Jesus’ entire life from birth to ascension in one broad stroke. Instead of Satan destroying Jesus, Jesus is born and then caught up to God and his throne, which most likely refers to the ascension of Jesus after his resurrection. Thus, we have in Revelation 12:5 a summary of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension! The key question then becomes “when does the woman flee into the wilderness to be nourished for 1,260 days?” (Rev 12:6). The woman flees into the wilderness at the time of Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father. Revelation 12:6 continues the sequence of events and states that the woman fled into the wilderness after Jesus ascended into heaven There is nothing in the biblical text (Greek or English) that suggests a major time gap has occurred between Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father in Revelation 12:5 and the woman’s fleeing in 12:6. Rather, the ascension of Jesus has resulted in the woman immediately fleeing into the wilderness. Antoninus Siew agrees based on a rhetorical analysis of Revelation 12:5–6: “It is important to read verses 5 and 6 together. Reading v. 5 alone apart from v. 6 misses the clearly intended depiction of the dual escape: the child to the throne of God and the woman to a place prepared by God. The aorist indicative passive of ἡρπάσθη (snatched) in 12.5 is parallel to the aorist indicative active of ἔφυγεν (fled) in 12.6. Even the prepositions are well constructed to show balance and contrast in the two lines: the dual πρός to God and πρός to his throne in v. 5 are parallel to the double preposition of εἰς to the wilderness . . . a place prepared ἀπο by God in v. 6.” Antoninus Siew, The War between the Two Beasts and the Two Witnesses, 132 The text then turns to the war in heaven and the defeat of Satan (Rev 12:7–17). The war in heaven and the casting down of Satan to earth clearly happened at the ascension of Jesus because (a) Satan is cast out of heaven because he can no longer accuse God’s people of their sins, (b) the casting down of Satan results in gospel events, such as salvation based on Jesus’ death, and (c) the war and casting down of Satan happen prior to the woman fleeing and result in the woman fleeing into the wilderness, which is recounted in 12:14. Let’s look at each of these points in turn. First, Satan is cast out of heaven, out of God’s presence, because he can no longer accuse God’s people of their sins. Satan is called “the accuser of our brothers” (Rev 12:10). Satan accuses God’s people of their sins as we see in Job 1–2 and Zechariah 3:1–5 (I go into more detail in my article on Satan, found here). However, “there was no longer any place for them [Satan and his angels] in heaven” because there is nothing of which Satan can accuse God’s people since Jesus died, rose, and ascended. Jesus died as a substitutionary atoning sacrifice (see my article on that topic here), forgiving the sins of God’s people (those who believe in Jesus) once-for-all. This happened 2,000 years ago. Thus, it makes sense for Satan’s expulsion to have happened at Jesus’ ascension. Second, the war in heaven between Michael + his angels and Satan + his angels results in Satan’s defeat and Satan’s expulsion from heaven, from the presence of God (Rev 12:7–9). This is important because the woman flees into the wilderness to be nourished for a 3.5-year period at Satan’s expulsion. Notice what is said at Satan’s defeat: “Now (1) the salvation and (2) the power and (3) the kingdom of our God and (4) the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they [God’s people] have conquered him [Satan] (5) by the blood of the Lamb and (6) by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” REVELATION 12:10–11, emphasis added Satan’s defeat as accuser of God’s people came at the same time that The salvation of God came The power of God came The kingdom of God came The authority of God’s messiah, Jesus, came Jesus’ saving death came The ability of God’s people to believe in Jesus’ death for salvation came Thus, to discern when the war in heaven happened, when Satan was cast out of God’s presence, and when the woman fled, all we need to do is discern when the six gospel events that are described in Revelation 12:10–11 happened. When did the salvation of God come? 2,000 years ago when Jesus died, rose, and ascended. When did the power of God come? When did God show his power like never before and like he never will again? 2,000 years ago when Jesus died, rose, and ascended. When did the kingdom of God come? 2,000 years ago at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (Matt 3:2; Mark 1:15; Luke 4:43; 19:11–27). When did the authority of God’s Messiah come? 2,000 years ago when Jesus began his ministry and to a fuller extent when Jesus ascended into heaven to take his seat next to the Father (Eph 1:19–23; Heb 1:2–4). When did Jesus’ saving death come? 2,000 years ago on the cross. When were people able to believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection and receive the permanent forgiveness of sins and salvation (“the word of their testimony”)? 2,000 years ago just after Jesus rose from the dead. When, then, was Satan defeated and cast out of heaven? 2,000 years ago when Jesus ascended into heaven because he no longer has anything to accuse God’s people of since their sins have been forgiven, making atonement: “And they [God’s people] have conquered him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Rev 12:11). So, the gospel is proclaimed at the fall of Satan. The salvation declarations in Revelation 12:10–11 happened at Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension 2,000 years ago. Third, Revelation 12:13–14 is explicitly clear that Satan pursues the woman who flees into the wilderness right after Satan is cast out of heaven and down to earth: “And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.” REVELATION 12:13–14, emphasis added Because Revelation 12:6 and 12:14 recount the exact same event (the woman fleeing into the wilderness), the contents of Revelation 12:7–13 are an expansion upon what happened in the heavenly realm at Jesus’ ascension; it expounds upon what God’s people couldn’t see at Jesus’ ascension. Summary Revelation 12:1–12 clearly present the gospel. Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven is presented in one broad stroke in Revelation 12:5. Immediately after Jesus’ ascension the woman flees into the wilderness, beginning her 3.5-year period of nourishment, indicating that the 3.5-year period begins at Jesus’ ascension. Revelation 12:7–14 reveals that Satan was expelled from heaven (the presence of God) at the ascension of Jesus because he can no longer accuse God’s people of their sin since Jesus died for their sin, rose, and ascended to the right hand of God. The result of Satan’s expulsion is salvation based on the death of Jesus and the saint’s testimony in Jesus’ death (i.e., the gospel), confirming that the expulsion of Satan happened at Jesus’ ascension. Immediately after Satan’s expulsion, the woman flees into the wilderness, beginning her 3.5-year period of nourishment, indicating that the 3.5-year period begins at Jesus’ ascension. Understanding the gospel helps readers of Revelation pinpoint the beginning of the 3.5-year period, which is Jesus’ ascension into heaven that coincides with Satan’s expulsion from heaven. The 3.5-Year Period Ends at Jesus’ Return Now that we’ve discovered the beginning of the 3.5-year period, we need to discern its end. Thankfully, the book of Revelation is clear regarding its end. Since the following four activities happen during the 3.5-year period, we can search Revelation to determine when these activities come to end. In other words, the coming to an end of the following activities will tell us when the 3.5-year period ends: The nations/Gentiles trample the holy city (Rev 11:2) The two witnesses prophesy (Rev 11:3) The woman is nourished in the wilderness (Rev 12:6, 14) The Sea Beast exercises authority (Rev 13:5) Revelation does not explicitly state when the trampling of the holy city ends (activity #1) and when the woman’s nourishing ends (activity #4). However, we get a clue as to when the prophesying of the two witnesses ends (activity #3), and Revelation is crystal clear as to when the Sea Beast’s authority ends (activity #4). Let’s look at activities 3 & 4 in turn. The End of the Two Witnesses Prophesying The two witnesses of Revelation 11 prophesy for 1,260 days (Rev 11:3). When they finish their prophesying, the Sea Beast kills them, marking the end of their prophesying and the end of the 3.5-year period (11:7). The bodies of the two witnesses lay in the streets for 3.5 days, which is a short time whether taken literally or figuratively (11:8–9). After the 3.5 days, the two witnesses rise from the dead, ascend to heaven, and at that time (lit. “that hour”) the city of Babylon falls (11:11–13). We know from Revelation 17–19 that the city of Babylon falls either just prior to the return of Jesus or at the return of Jesus. Thus, we can confidently assert that the 3.5-year period in which the two witnesses prophesy ends either just prior to the return of Jesus or at the return of Jesus. Click here to read my article on the identification and ministry of the two witnesses. The End of the Sea Beast’s Authority The beast that rises out of the sea is permitted to exercise authority “over every tribe and people and language and nation” as well as to “make war on the saints and to conquer them” for 42 months (Rev 13:5–8). Thankfully, the Sea Beast’s authority and reign of terror ends at the second coming of Jesus. The Sea Beast and the kings of the earth along with their armies gather together to wage war against Jesus when he returns. When Jesus returns, he easily captures the Sea Beast and throws him into the Lake of Fire, never to bother God’s people or the nations again. “And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” REVELATION 19:19–20, emphasis added The authority of the Beast clearly ends at the return of Jesus. We can, then, confidently assert that the 3.5-year period in which the Sea Beast exercises authority ends at the return of Jesus. Click here to read my article on the identity and work of the Sea Beast. The End of the 3.5-Year Period The prophesying of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 during the 3.5-year period ends either just prior to the return of Jesus or at the return of Jesus. The authority of the Sea Beast of Revelation 13 during the 3.5-year period ends at Jesus’ return. Based on when these two activities end, it can confidently be concluded that the 3.5-year period ends at Jesus’ return. The Time Period of the 3.5 Years of Revelation Every occurrence of 42 months, 1,260 days, and “time, times, and half a time” in the book of Revelation refers to the same 3.5-year period. Revelation clearly reveals that the 3.5-year period begins at Jesus’ ascension. Revelation also clearly reveals that the 3.5-year period ends at Jesus’ return. Based on when the 3.5-year period begins and ends, we can confidently conclude that the 3.5-year period mentioned throughout Revelation 11–13 is a symbolic time period that refers to the period between Jesus’ ascension and return. Implications of the 3.5-Year Period Being Symbolic The conclusion that the 3.5-year period is symbolic for the period between Jesus’ ascension and return has a number of important implications for interpreting and applying the book of Revelation. Many of these implications will come out in my other articles on Revelation, but here are four of the biggest implications. The Two Witnesses Cannot be People If the 3.5-year period spans thousands of years and the two witnesses prophesy during this period, then the two witnesses cannot be human people because people don’t live for thousands of years. The two witnesses of Revelation 11 must be symbolic for something else. Not only must the two witnesses be something other than people, but since they prophesy between the ascension and return of Jesus, they were prophesying in the days when the book of Revelation was written and they are prophesying now! For more information on the two witnesses, click here to see my article. The Sea Beast (Antichrist) Cannot be a Person Some people interpret the Sea Beast of Revelation 13 & 17 as a human. Many Preterists interpret the Sea Beast as one of the Roman emperors (usually Nero or Domitian), while many Dispensationalists interpret the Sea Beast as a future person who will arrive on the world stage just prior to Jesus’ return (this person may or may not be possessed by Satan). However, both of these interpretations are not possible if the 3.5-year period refers to the period between Jesus’ ascension and return, which spans thousands of years. If the 3.5-year period refers to the period between Jesus’ ascension and return, which spans thousands of years, then the Sea Beast (who is the antichrist) cannot be a person; he must be an angelic being just like Satan. In fact, this is how Revelation 13 presents the Sea Beast: “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him . . . . And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads . . . . And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.” REVELATION 12:7–9; 13:1, 2b, emphasis added Satan is clearly depicted as an angelic being akin to Michael. Those who were cast out of heaven with Satan are clearly labelled angels. In the context of Revelation 12:7–13:8, the only logical explanation as to the identity of the Sea Beast to whom Satan gives his power, throne, and authority is an angelic being, not a human being. If the Sea Beast (the antichrist) is an angelic being and the 3.5-year period refers to the period between Jesus’ ascension and return, then the antichrist was wielding his authority when the book of Revelation was written 2,000 years ago and he is wielding his authority now! This has massive implications for the modern church. It means that the antichrist is here now and is seeking to deceive and murder Christians now! For more information on the Sea Beast, click here. The Land Beast (False Prophet) Cannot be a Person In Revelation 13:11, another beast arises. This beast rises out of the earth. He is later called the False Prophet in Revelation 16:13; 19:20; and 20:10. The False Prophet operates at the same time as the Sea Beast (antichrist), which means he also operates during the 3.5-year period and, thus, cannot be a person, but must be an angelic being. The implications of the False Prophet being an angelic being who operates between Jesus’ ascension and return are significant. For example, he deceives all who dwell on the earth (i.e., non-Christians) to worship the Sea Beast both when Revelation was written and today (Rev 13:12)! Further, the mark of the Beast cannot be a visible mark for all to see because all non-Christians between Jesus’ ascension and return have the mark of the Beast. For my article expounding upon the Sea Beast, click here. For my article explaining the mark of the Beast, click here. Most of the Book of Revelation is Relevant to All Christians of All Periods As you can hopefully tell by now, when one understands the 3.5-year period as referring to the period between Jesus’ ascension and return, a lot of the book of Revelation becomes relevant and applicable to all Christians between Jesus’ ascension and return. The book is directly relevant to the original recipients in the 1st century, but it is also directly relevant to modern readers. This makes sense because a lot of Revelation is revealing what is going on behind the scenes, in the heavenly realm where you and I cannot see. The book of Revelation unveils who the church’s true enemies are (Satan, the Sea Beast, the Land Beast, and Babylon) and what is going on in the heavenly realm that affects the earthly realm where we primarily inhabit. The book of Revelation also unveils God’s work in the heavenly realm and what he is doing to protect his people and combat the church’s true enemies. Not everything in the book of Revelation spans the 3.5-year period. For example, the trumpet and bowl plagues happen just prior to Jesus’ return (click here to read my thoughts on that topic). Jesus obviously comes back in the future. The New Jerusalem descends in the future. And many other events recounted in Revelation happen in the future—but not all events as some interpreters would have you believe. If this article on Revelation has whet your appetite for studying the book of Revelation, I encourage you to check out my other articles on this book of the Bible. My goal is to present a coherent and consistent interpretation of the entire book, which means the implications of this article will be seen in my other ones. Happy reading and happy studying!