1260 days to years

The day-for-year principle is a hermeneutical approach to interpreting certain biblical prophecies, particularly the 1260 days, the 2300 days, and the 70 weeks as found in the eschatological books of Daniel and Revelation. This principle asserts that, in specific prophetic contexts, a day symbolizes a year. By understanding and applying this principle, readers can connect prophetic timelines to historical events with remarkable accuracy.

This article explores the biblical foundations of the day-for-year principle and its application in major biblical prophecies. Additionally, it examines the historical acceptance of this interpretive method by notable theologians and addresses common objections. Readers will gain insight into the depth and validity of this approach to prophecy.

Understanding the Day-for-Year Principle

The day-for-year principle is the method of interpreting certain prophetic time periods, where each day mentioned in a prophecy represents one literal year. The day-for-year principle is primarily applied to end-time prophecies where symbolic language and imagery are used to convey a message about the unfolding of God's plans throughout history.

The day-for-year principle is key to unlocking the interpretation of numerous biblical time prophecies. One such prophecy is the 1,260 days mentioned in both Daniel 7:25 and 12:7, Revelation 11:2–3, 12:6, 12:14 and 13:5. Other examples would include the 2300 days in the 8th chapter of Daniel and the 70 weeks prophecy in the 9th chapter of Daniel.

A clear Biblical principle for understanding these prophetic periods is hidden in the opening message of Revelation, where John is greeted with grace and peace from Jesus. Here Jesus identifies himself as he “who is, and who was, and who is to come” (Revelation 1:4). This emphasises Jesus’ eternal presence in the past, present, and future. In Revelation 13:8 Jesus is referred to as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,” highlighting His sacrificial role throughout history. Revelation 19:11–16 portrays Jesus returning to judge the earth at the end of time as the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

These passages suggest that apocalyptic prophecy provides insights into Jesus’ work and satan’s opposition throughout history spanning from the beginning through to the end of time. This historical approach to understanding these apocalyptic prophecies is further supported by the instruction given to John in Revelation 1:19: “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place later.” This directive encompasses past, present, and future events. As we will see, it is only by applying the day-for-year principle that we encapsulate such long spans of time.

Furthermore, we will see through the application of the day-for-year principle, that we unveil the mysteries of these prophetic time periods, particularly as will be our focus here, the 1260 day prophecy. It is not here our intention to reveal the meaning of these prophecies, but instead to provide a method of interpretation that allows faith bible students and scholars alike to align prophetic timelines with historical events, affirming the reliability and relevance of biblical prophecy to this day.

Biblical Foundations of the Day-for-Year Principle

The Bible provides several instances where days and years are interconnected, establishing a biblical foundation for the day-for-year principle.

After the number of the days in which ye spied out the land, even forty days, for every day a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my alienation. ~ Numbers 14:34 (ASV)

As the Israelites approached the land of Canaan promised by God, they doubted God's faithfulness concerning His promise. They had received a discouraging report from the spies who explored Canaan. From the time they left Egypt unto the borders of Canaan had been 40 days. God decreed they would wander in the wilderness for 40 years—one year for each day of exploration.

This passage establishes a precedent where God uses a day to represent a year in a judgment context, and is closely associated with God's people experiencing deliverance from their oppressors and their approach unto the promised land.

And again, when thou hast accomplished these, thou shalt lie on thy right side, and shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah: forty days, each day for a year, have I appointed it unto thee. ~ Ezekiel 4:6 (ASV)

God instructs Ezekiel to enact a symbolic demonstration of the coming siege of Jerusalem. He lies on his side for a number of days. These days corresponded to the years of Israel's and Judah's iniquity. This prophecy that Ezekiel enacts reinforces the concept of a day representing a year in a prophetic, symbolic act.

Implicit Associations Between Days and Years

Genealogies describe lifespans in Genesis 5 in terms of "all the days" being so many years, suggesting an interchangeable use of days and years.

And Jehovah said, My Spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years. ~ Genesis 6:3 (ASV)

"His days" here refers to years, indicating the time allotted to humanity before the judgement of God would bring about a world wide Flood.

Other examples where days and years were intimately tied together, although not explicitly expressed would include Leviticus 25:3-4. We read that the land was to be sown and harvested for six years, but the seventh year was a Sabbath of rest. Just as the seventh day is a day of rest after six days of work, the seventh year is a year of rest after six years of cultivation. This passage establishes a pattern where days and years are analogously related in God's laws.

1260 Days and the Day-for-Year Principle

While there are several instances where days and years are clearly interconnected, the prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation most prominently provide complex time prophecies that are unlocked with astonishing accuracy when the day-for-year principle is applied.

This timeframe is mentioned repeatedly throughout both apocalyptic books of Daniel and Revelation. In each instance where this timeframe is mentioned, it is used in relation to the time of persecution upon God's people (i.e. the saints, the Bride); or the reign of the little horn, antichrist, sea beast power who persecutes.

Daniel 7: The "Time, Times, and Half a Time"

In the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel, we see the first mention of the 1260 days.

And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. ~ Daniel 7:25 (ASV)

Daniel 12: The "Time, Times, and Half a Time"

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased... How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen... sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. ~ Daniel 12:4-7 (ASV)

This reference to the 1260 days is of particular interest, because it suggests that the 1260 prophetic days covers a historical timeframe with it's completion marking the beginning of the time of the end.

Revelation 11: Forty two months, a thousand two hundred and threescore days

And the court which is without the temple leave without, and measure it not; for it hath been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. ~ Revelation 11:2-3 (ASV)

The forty and two months that the holy city is trodden under foot, unquestionably parallels the Time, Times, and Half a Time or three and a half years in Daniel 7:25 and Daniel 12:4-7. In the book of Daniel this period describes the time that that the antichrist or little horn power would wear out the saints, breaking in pieces the power of the holy people.

Here in Revelation 11, we see the two witnesses shall prophesy during this same 1260 day prophetic time period. It is self-evident therefore that each month of the forty and two months is calculated as a 30-day period and that a year (or 'time' as it is referred to in Daniel) is therefore 12 months multiplied by 30 days, totalling to 360 days. This is further supported below (see: Historical Acceptance of the Day-for-Year Principle).

Revelation 13: Forty two months

We see another mention of the forty and two months in the 13th chapter of Revelation, in which the sea beast is given its power and authority from the dragon to speak blasphemies against the Most High. In this example, the 1260 days measures the time satan will oppose God through the sea beast power.

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. ~ Revelation 13:5

Revelation 12: A thousand two hundred and threescore days

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days. ~ Revelation 12:6 (ASV)

The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. ~ Revelation 12:14 (ASV)

The last of the verses to consider where the 1260 days is mentioned, is found in Revelation 12 where God's watchful care is over his people. It is a reminder that while satan may war against God and His people, God will never leave nor forsake his children (Hebrews 13:5-7).

1260 Days and the Day-for-Year Interpretation

For each of the 1260 day prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, let us now consider the application of the day-for-year principle.

"Time" = 1 year
"Times" = 2 years
"Half a time" = 0.5 year
Total = 3.5 years or ((12 * 30) * 3.5) = 1260 days

"A thousand" = 1000 days
"Two hundred" = 200 days
"Threescore" = 60 days (score equals twenty)
Total = 1260 days

"Forty Months" = 30 days * 40 = 1200 days
"Two Months" = 30 days * 2 = 60 days
Total = 1260 days

With the application of the day-for-year method, the 1260 days symbolise 1260 years.

This period of 1260 years, aligns with significant historical events in church history, particularly relating to phases of persecution that lasted over a millennium. Spanning from 538AD down to 1798AD, there was severe persecution of God's people and a distortion of His image throughout Christendom by the Holy See.

Image by Phil McKay

The visions of the 1260 days, includes symbolic beasts, horns, women and dragons; thus, we can assume that the time periods are symbolic. Furthermore, uncommon expression like "Time, times, and half a time", "forty and two months", and "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" are not a standard way to express literal time. This encoded expression of the time frames indicates a symbolic meaning intended to be decoded.

Beginning of the 1260 days to years

The year 538 A.D. serves as the starting point in the interpretation of the prophetic 1260-day period. This year marks a shift in the Roman Empire under Emperor Justinian, from a civil authority, to a civil and religious authority. By codifying the Code of Justinian, a legal framework that merged religious authority with civil law, Justinian established a structure that would empower the Papacy to exert control over Christian doctrine and governance across the empire. This code also sanctioned the persecution of those viewed as heretical, including Sabbath-keepers and other groups that diverged from state-mandated beliefs.

In 538 A.D., Justinian not only redefined the Roman Empire’s power structure but also visually affirmed his role as a religious sovereign, as evidenced by coinage depicting him with symbols of religious authority. These coins marked the “twelfth year” of his reign—a year that saw him assume a quasi-theological role, positioning him as both emperor and protector of the church. This shift created a governance model where church authority was upheld by state power, initiating a period of papal dominance that aligns with the 1260-year prophecy found in Daniel and Revelation.

This significant transition in 538 A.D., setting in motion a long period of ecclesiastical control, frames the beginning of the prophetic 1260 years, which many believe extended to 1798, marking the end of papal supremacy and fulfilling a key element in apocalyptic prophecy.

Completion of the 1260 days marks the 'Time of the End'

In the book of Daniel and the 12th Chapter, Daniel is told to seal up the book until the time of the end.

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. ~

In this vision, there are two angels standing by the river when one asks the Jesus, the Man in white linen, "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?" Jesus, the Man in white linen "held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half."

Jesus connects the arrival of the 'time of the end' with the completion of a time, times, and half. The 1260 day timeframe covers the long span of earths history and therefore must be symbolic. This extensive timeframe can only make sense when we utilise the day-for-year principle to the 1260 days.

In the 10th chapter of Revelation Jesus is again seen in a vision, this time by John. The vision of Jesus in Revelation 10, closely parallels the vision of Daniel in Revelation 12.

The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever ~ Daniel 12:6-7 (ASV)

And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created the heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein, that there shall be delay no longer: ~ Revelation 10:4-6 (ASV)"

However in Revelation 10, between the opening of the sixth and seventh seal, Jesus appears with an open book in His hand. Undoubtedly, this is the same book that Daniel is told to seal up for the time of the end. Remember in Daniel the question is asked, "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders", and in Revelation the answer is given, "that there shall be delay no longer", or the appointed time of delay is over. The visions of the 1260 years of persecution are now fulfilled, the time of the end is at hand, and the once sealed book is now opened.

John of the apocalypse, is then like Ezekiel invited to enact a part of this prophetic message. He is told to take this little book, and to eat it up. And it would be sweet in his mouth and bitter in his belly. This prophetic experience enacted by John in Revelation 10, evidently comes as an experience of those studying the book of Daniel after the completion of the 1260 year period. I will write more about this little book experience soon in a future article.

Historical Acceptance of the Day-for-Year Principle

The day-for-year principle has been embraced and applied to the 1260 year prophecy by numerous respected theologians and scholars throughout history, demonstrating its credibility and significance.

Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727)

Isaac Newton was an English physicist and mathematician, regarded as a leading figure of the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century. He later attended Trinity College at Cambridge University, initially intending to pursue a career as a minister in the Church of England.

The antient solar years of the eastern nations consisted of 12 months, and every month of 30 days: and hence came the division of a circle into 360 degrees. This year seems to be used by Moses in his history of the Flood, and by John in the Apocalypse , where a time, times and half a time, 42 months and 1260 days, are put equipollent. ~ Isaac Newton. Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John.

And now being arrived at a temporal dominion, and a power above all human judicature, he reigned with a look more stout than his fellows, and times and laws were henceforward given into his hands, for a time times and half a time, or three times and an half; that is, for 1260 solar years, reckoning a time for a Calendar year of 360 days, and a day for a solar year. ~ Isaac Newton. Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714)

Matthew Henry was an English Presbyterian minister and renowned Bible commentator, best known for his comprehensive and widely read commentary on the entire Bible.

And he held in his hand a little book opened, probably the same that was before sealed, but was now opened, and gradually fulfilled by him. ~ Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Revelation 10

The slaying of the witnesses. To make their testimony more strong, they must seal it with their blood. Here observe, 1. The time when they should be killed: When they have finished their testimony. They are immortal, they are invulnerable, till their work be done. Some think it ought to be rendered, when they were about to finish their testimony. When they had prophesied in sackcloth the greatest part of the 1260 years, then they should feel the last effect of antichristian malice. ~ Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Revelation 11

One of the angels who had the vials, explains the meaning of the former vision of the antichristian beast that was to reign 1260 years, and then to be destroyed ~ Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, Re 17:1.

John Gill (1697-1771)

John Gill was an English Baptist pastor, biblical scholar, and theologian known for his steadfast adherence to Calvinistic views on salvation.

until a time, and times, and the dividing of time; by "a time" is meant a year, the longest part of time; by "times", two years; and "the dividing of time", half a year; in all three years and a half, which is the same with 1260 days, or forty two months, the time of the witnesses prophesying in sackcloth, and of the reign of antichrist; so long shall he continue, exercising his power and authority, his wrath and rage, and blasphemy, and no longer. ~ John Gill, 1748-63, Exposition of the Old Testament, 6 vols., Daniel 7

...and seal the book, even to the time of the end; till the time comes appointed for the fulfilment of it, which shows that it reached to times at a great distance; that till these times were come, or near, it would be as a sealed book, and yet the accomplishment of it would be sure and certain, as what is sealed is: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased; that is, towards the end of the time appointed, many persons will be stirred up to inquire into these things delivered in this book, and will spare no pains or cost to get knowledge of them; will read and study the Scriptures, and meditate on them... ~ John Gill, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, Daniel 12.

...that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; that it would be so long to the end of these wonderful things; or that the troubles of the church would last so long, and, at the end of that date here fixed, a glorious scene would open, and amazing things appear, to the great joy and comfort of the saints. "Time" signifies a prophetic year, or 360 years; and "times" two prophetic years, or 720 years; and half a time half a prophetic year, or 180 years, in all 1260 years; which is the exact date and duration of the reign of antichrist, of the church's being in the wilderness, and of the witnesses prophesying in sackcloth, and of the treading under foot the holy city, expressed both by 1260 days, and by forty two months, which are the same... ~ John Gill, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, Daniel 12.

for a time, and times, and half a time; that is, all the times of antichrist, the forty two months of his reign; during which time the holy city is trodden under foot, and in a desolate and afflicted condition outwardly, as may be learnt by comparing together Dan 7:25 Rev 13:5; and until the end of wonders, or when time shall be no longer or till the seventh angel has sounded his trumpet as appears from Dan 12:7. This date is the same with 1260 days in Rev 12:6, for "time" signifies a prophetic year, or 360 years; and "times" two years, or 720 years; and half a time, half a year, or 180 years, in all 1230 years; and which are to be reckoned, not from the beginning of the church's flight in Constantine's time, or from the Arian persecution, but from her entering into her wilderness state, or entire disappearance upon the prevalence of the antichristian apostasy; which might be when the bishop of Rome took upon him the title of universal bishop: and here and during this time she is hid ~ John Gill, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, Daniel 12:14.

...at the Reformation, which the Sardinian church state introduces, the church appeared again, and has been ever since coming up out of the wilderness, yet she is stall in it; where she is fed and nourished with the Gospel, and the ordinances of it, by the faithful ministers of the word, the two witnesses that prophesy in sackcloth; the time of whose prophesying: is exactly of the same date with the woman's bring in the wilderness, and with the reign of antichrist, namely, forty two months, or 1260 days, that is so many years. ~ John Gill, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, Revelation 11:3.

that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days: in allusion to the children of Israel in the wilderness, where they were fed with manna forty years; so the overcomers, or true Christians in the Pergamos church state, have hidden manna given them to eat, the food of the wilderness, with which church state the church in the wilderness must be considered as contemporary, as also with the Thyatirian and Sardian church states; for though, at the Reformation, which the Sardinian church state introduces, the church appeared again, and has been ever since coming up out of the wilderness, yet she is stall in it; where she is fed and nourished with the Gospel, and the ordinances of it, by the faithful ministers of the word, the two witnesses that prophesy in sackcloth; the time of whose prophesying: is exactly of the same date with the woman's bring in the wilderness, and with the reign of antichrist, namely, forty two months, or 1260 days, that is so many years, Rev 11:2. ~ John Gill, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, Revelation 12:6.

And there was given unto him a mouth,.... The beast is said to have a mouth before, like the mouth of a lion, Rev 13:2; but now he was moved and stirred up by the dragon, the devil, to open it, not only in a cruel and voracious way, but in a haughty, lying, and blasphemous manner: and this was given him, it was at the instigation of Satan, and by divine permission; his coming, speaking, and acting, were after the working of Satan, but not without the will of God; who, as he gave up many to a judicial blindness, to believe his lies and blasphemies, gave up him to speak them, as follows:

speaking great things, and blasphemies; great swelling words of vanity; calling himself by high and lofty titles, as Christ's vicar, Peter's successor, head of the church, universal bishop, &c. promising great things to his followers, riches, honours, pleasures, pardons, and heaven itself; and uttering things of a blasphemous kind, or great blasphemies, the particulars of which are mentioned in Rev 13:6; so the little horn, who is the same with the Romish antichrist, is said to have a mouth speaking great things, very great things, and his look more stout than his fellows, Dan 7:8.

And power was given unto him to continue forty and two months; to continue in being, or to continue blaspheming and speaking great things; and indeed, as long as he continues, he will continue blaspheming; as soon as he arose he had a name of blasphemy on his heads, and his mouth was immediately opened in blasphemy, and so it continues, and will to the end of this date. The Ethiopic version reads it, "and power was given to him to do signs, whatsoever he would"; miracles, lying signs and wonders; see Rev 13:13. Some copies read, and so the Arabic version, "and power was given him to make war"; but he did not make war as soon as he arose, and so not all the time that is here allotted him; and the word "war" seems to be transcribed from Rev 13:7. The phrase rather intends his being, and the continuance and duration of it; which is the same period of time in which the holy city is trodden under foot by this beast, and the same with the 1260 days or years, in which the witnesses prophesy in sackcloth, and the woman, the church, is in the wilderness, Rev 11:2; for forty two months, reckoning thirty days to a month, as the eastern people did, make just 1260 days, for these things are all contemporary: hence it appears, that 1260 prophetic days, that is, years, contain the whole period of antichrist's reign and continuance; so that could we tell where they began, it might be exactly known when his reign will end; but for want of knowing the former, the best of calculators have failed in the latter: but seeing the time when he was made universal bishop by Phocas bids fair for the time of his open appearance, and the beginning of his reign, and of his blasphemy, which was in the year 859, to which, if we add 1260, the expiration of his reign will fall in the year 1866; so that he may have upwards of an hundred and twenty years yet to continue; but of this we cannot be certain; however, the conjecture is not improbable. ~ John Gill, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, Revelation 13:5

Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758)

When then shall they be accomplished? Not till the holy city has been trodden under foot forty and two months. Not till the wit∣nesses have prophesied a thousand two hundred and threescore days, cloathed in sackcloth. And not till the woman has been in the wilderness a time, and times, and half a time. Now a time, and times, and half a time, i. e. three years and a half is equal to forty-two months, which is equal to one thousand two hundred and sixty days, which doubtless means one thousand two hundred and sixty years, a day for a year; as the event has proved, was the case in the prophecy of Daniel, who declared it to be seventy weeks, from the going forth of the commandment to build Jerusalem to the death of Christ; for it proved to be four hundred and ninety years, which is seven times seventy, a day for a year. ~ Jonathan Edwards, A History of the Work of Redemption. Edited by John Erskine, Edinburgh: J. Gray, 1774, p. 255.

John Wesley (1703–1791)

John Wesley, an Anglican minister and Christian theologian, was one of the founders of the Methodist Church. His leadership and teachings shaped Methodism into a distinct movement within Christianity, emphasising personal faith, holiness, and social outreach.

The numbers of Daniel and John seem to agree. Daniel was certainly prophetical in these things, and his prophecy reacheth to the end of times, even of antichrist's reign. ~ Wesley, John. Explanatory Notes, Daniel 7.

A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy; The same is said of the little horn on the fourth beast in Daniel. Nothing greater, nothing more blasphemous, can be conceived, than what the Popes have said of themselves, especially before the Reformation. And authority was given him forty-two months; The beginning of these is not to be dated immediately from his ascent out of the sea, but at some distance from it.~ John Wesley, Explanatory Notes, Revelation 13."

Adam Clarke (1760–1832)

Adam Clarke was a British Methodist theologian who served three times as President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference and is well-known for his influential Bible commentary, Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible.

Until a time and times and the dividing of time - In prophetic language a time signifies a year; and a prophetic year has a year for each day. Three years and a half (a day standing for a year, as in John 9:24) will amount to one thousand two hundred and sixty years, if we reckon thirty days to each month, as the Jews do.
If we knew precisely when the papal power began to exert itself in the antichristian way, then we could at once fix the time of its destruction. The end is probably not very distant; it has already been grievously shaken by the French. In 1798 the French republican army under General Berthier took possession of the city of Rome, and entirely superseded the whole papal power. This was a deadly wound, though at present it appears to be healed; but it is but skinned over, and a dreadful cicatrice remains. The Jesuits, not Jesus, are now the Church‘s doctors. ~ Adam Clarke, The Holy Bible… with a Commentary and Critical Notes, Daniel 7:25

Which was upon the waters - By this description, he was standing on the water. This is very similar to the description of the angel, Rev 10:5, Rev 10:6, and in the seventh verse there seems to be a reference to this prophecy “a time, times, and a half.” See the note on Dan 7:25 (note). ~ Adam Clarke, The Holy Bible… with a Commentary and Critical Notes, Daniel 12:7

Albert Barnes (1798-1870)

Albert Barnes was an American Presbyterian minister, theologian, and Bible commentator best known for his extensive series, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible.

The language does not forbid the application to a literal year,... The same remark may be made as to the symbolic application of the language - taking it for a much longer period than literally three years and a half; that is, regarding each day as standing for a year, and thus considering it as denoting twelve hundred and sixty years. This could not be shown to be a violation of prophetic usage, or to be forbidden by the nature of prophetic language, because nothing is more common than symbols, and because there are actual instances in which such an interpretation must be understood. Thus in Ezk 4:6, where the prophet was commanded to lie upon his right side forty days, it is expressly said that it was symbolic or emblematic: “I have appointed thee each day for a year.” No one can doubt that it would be strictly consistent with prophetic usage to suppose that the time here might be symbolic, and that a longer time might be referred to than the literal interpretation would require. ~ Albert Barnes, Notes on the Bible

Robert Jamieson (1802–1880), Andrew Fausset (1821–1910) David Brown (1803–1897)

time ... times and ... dividing of time — one year, two years, and half a year: 1260 days (Rev 12:6, Rev 12:14); forty-two months (Rev 11:2, Rev 11:3). That literally three and a half years are to be the term of Antichrist’s persecution is favored by Dan 4:16, Dan 4:23, where the year-day theory would be impossible. If the Church, moreover, had been informed that 1260 years must elapse before the second advent, the attitude of expectancy which is inculcated (Luk 12:38; 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:9, 1Th 1:10; 2Pe 3:12) on the ground of the uncertainty of the time, would be out of place. The original word for “time” denotes a stated period or set feast; or the interval from one set feast to its recurrence, that is, a year [Tregelles]; Lev 23:4, “seasons”; Lev 23:44, “feasts.” The passages in favor of the year-day theory are Ezk 4:6, where each day of the forty during which Ezekiel lay on his right side is defined by God as meaning a year. Compare Num 14:34, where a year of wandering in the wilderness was appointed for each day of the forty during which the spies searched Canaan; but the days were, in these two cases, merely the type or reason for the years, which were announced as they were to be fulfilled. ~ Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, 1871, Daniel 7:25

Fear Not, For I am With You

As we reflect on the profound prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, we are reminded of Jesus, the One who walks on water, displaying His power over nature and bringing peace amid chaos. In Revelation 10, Jesus stands with one foot on the sea and one on the land, symbolizing His sovereign authority over both the nations (“the waters,” as described in Revelation 17:15, represent multitudes, nations, tongues, and peoples) and the land. This image is a powerful reminder that Christ’s dominion extends over all creation, including the tumultuous seas of history and persecution.

In the Gospels, Jesus walks on the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee and calls out to His terrified disciples, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). This moment encapsulates the essence of His promise to us: He is with us in every storm. In Daniel 12, we see the “time of trouble such as never was,” and through the 1260 years of persecution, we know that His presence remained steadfast. He holds power over every storm, every trial, and every time of distress.

In the same way, He calls out to us today amid the storms of life and the uncertainties of the end times: “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). As we stand on the brink of what may feel like turbulent and uncharted waters, we can trust that the One who walks on water is by our side. Just as He was with His people through the persecution of centuries past, so He is with us now, guiding, protecting, and giving peace. Let us remember that in every storm, Jesus is present, and as His people, we need not fear.