Many believe the 42 months mentioned in Revelation should be taken literally, like a literal 3 and a half year tribulation period.
But I believe the 42 months is a sign (symbolism) of time which should be “spiritually discerned.”
Let’s look at why this 42 months, or 1,260 days is not a literal 3 and half years, but is rather symbolic of time.
In Revelation 12:5-6 we read “5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” (1,260 days or 42 months)
Most would agree this verse is speaking about the birth of Jesus Christ, and his being caught up to God, and the woman being the sign of the spiritual Israel, because these are those who “ have the testimony of Jesus Christ” as seen in Rev. 12:17.
But no matter who you believe the woman represents, the timing of when she fled into the wilderness is shown to be right after the “man-child” was caught up to God and to His throne.”
This time is confirmed again here in Revelation 12:14 “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”
So now we have this same 1,260 days shown as “time, times, and half a time” which is also mentioned in the book of Daniel.
This prophecy given to Daniel had to do with “the days of vengeance on the Jews” and ending with the “time of trouble such as the world has never seen” (Daniel 12:1) Which Jesus also mentioned in Matthew 24:21.
And this time of 1,260 days was to begin with the destruction of the Temple, and this time period would also run 1335 days all the way to the redemption of Gods people as Daniel was told in verse 1 “at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book of Life.”
And then there is mention of the resurrection as mentioned here in Daniel 12:2 “2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Then this time is again confirmed in Daniel 12:7 “7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon 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 that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.”
So according to the word of the Lord, all those things mentioned to Daniel shall be finished in that same time period.
Now let’s look at how this time period is also shown as the same amount of time given to the fullness of the Gentiles.
Jesus spoke of “after the tribulation of those days” in accordance with the tribulation period of the Jews and also for “the fullness of the Gentiles.” ( “that all things which are written may be fulfilled” Luke 21:22)
In Luke 21:24 Jesus says “ And they(the Jews) shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until “the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
So how long was the times of the Gentiles? Well, were given that time as well in scripture.
Revelation 11:2 “But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
This confirms the Gentile ingathering periods fulness, the tribulation of those days, and all those things being fulfilled as listed in the book of Daniel could not possibly be a literal 42 months, or 1,260 days, but rather it is a sign of time.
We also know by Paul’s words that this time of the Gentiles being fulfilled would be marked by ungodliness being removed from Jacob.
Romans 11:25 “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”
So we know by scripture the start point of the Gentile period, and when the abomination that desolated the temple mount and Jerusalem was in fact set up in 70 a.d.
And we also know the second coming and resurrection of the dead in Christ has not happened yet, as we also know ungodliness has not yet been removed from Israel at the Lords second coming.
So people need to rethink this sign of time because there is no way it can be a taken at face value and as literal when you understand the start point and end point.
Just more food for thought, Peace.
