The Three Prophetic Eras of Daniel (ePub)

The expression "time, times and half a time," or its equivalent, appears three times in the Bible, twice in the book of Daniel (7:25 and 12:7) and once in Revelations (12:14), each occurrence measuring to a distinctly different prophetic fulfillment. By far the most frequent interpretation of the expression equates it to a fixed duration of time, almost always as 3.5 units, with each unit being most frequently thought of as a 360 day year; although some interpreters use the day/year principle to expand each of the 1260 days to a year's duration. This interpretation as 1260 days or years is based on the parallelism between Rev. 12:14 and Rev. 12:6. Because of difficulties arising from inconsistencies or disappointments with such strict durations, some have concluded the expression represents an indefinite duration. The interpretation advanced below is none of these. It interprets the expression as three separate and consecutive eras (times) with each era's "fullness period" being tied to one of the three chronological prophecies as given in the book of Daniel. The timing for the fulfillment of these prophecies (to date at least) has been precise. These eras are more commonly called the meridian of time, the times of the gentiles, and the time of the end. In no sense are these eras a prelude to some sort of divine judgment accompanied with fiery destruction. Rather they are merely preparatory steps for the spiritual maturation of humankind, to the immediate benefit of all three of the Abrahamic religions.