The 1260 Days Prophecy Explained
The 1260 days prophecy predicts exactly 1260 years of papal dominance. Daniel 7:25 foretold a power that would "think to change times and laws" for "a time, times, and the dividing of time." Revelation restates this period as "forty-two months" or "1260 days." Using the biblical day-for-a-year principle, this calculates to 1260 literal years, from 538 AD to 1798 AD.
This is not speculation. History provides both the starting point (when the papacy gained civil authority) and the ending event (when that authority was forcibly removed). The math is exact.
The Prophecy in Daniel and Revelation
The 1260 time period appears in multiple forms across Scripture:
"They shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."
Daniel 7:25"The woman fled into the wilderness... a thousand two hundred and threescore days."
Revelation 12:6"Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months."
Revelation 13:5All three expressions calculate to the same period:
- Time, times, half a time = 1 + 2 + ½ = 3½ years = 42 months = 1260 days
- 42 months × 30 days = 1260 days
- 1260 days = 1260 prophetic days
The Day-for-a-Year Principle
Scripture establishes that in symbolic prophecy, one day represents one year:
"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."
Numbers 14:34"I have appointed thee each day for a year."
Ezekiel 4:6This principle converts 1260 prophetic days into 1260 literal years. The question becomes: 1260 years of what, and when?
The Math: 538 AD to 1798 AD
The 1260 years measure a specific period of papal civil authority:
538 AD: The Start
Emperor Justinian recognizes the pope as "head of all the holy churches." The Ostrogoths (Arian Christians who opposed papal authority) are defeated. The papacy gains uncontested civil power to enforce its decrees.
1798 AD: The End
French General Berthier invades Rome, abolishes the Papal States, and exiles Pope Pius VI. After exactly 1260 years, papal civil authority is removed. Revelation calls this "the deadly wound."
The Power Identified
Daniel 7:25 gives identifying marks for this power:
- "Think to change times and laws" - The Catholic Church claims to have changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, altering God's law regarding time (see their own admissions).
- "Wear out the saints" - The Inquisition and persecution of Sabbath-keepers (Waldenses, Anabaptists) continued throughout this period.
- "Speak great words against the most High" - Papal claims to be Christ's vicar on earth, with authority over kings and Scripture.
The Reformers unanimously identified this power. Luther, Calvin, Knox, Wesley, and Newton all pointed to the same fulfillment.
The Deadly Wound and Its Healing
Revelation 13 predicted the 1260-year period would end with a "deadly wound":
"And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast."
Revelation 13:3The wound came in 1798. But prophecy said the wound would heal. That healing has progressed through identifiable stages:
- 1929: The Lateran Treaty restores Vatican sovereignty
- 1984: The United States establishes full diplomatic relations with the Vatican
- 1999: Lutheran-Catholic Joint Declaration on Justification signed
- 2015: Pope Francis addresses U.S. Congress and United Nations
The revival of influence sets the stage for the final conflict over worship described in Revelation 13 and 14.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 1260 days prophecy?
The 1260 days prophecy appears in Daniel 7:25 ("time, times, and half a time") and Revelation 12:6, 13:5 ("forty-two months" or "1260 days"). Using the biblical day-for-a-year principle, this equals 1260 literal years of papal dominance, from 538 AD to 1798 AD.
When did the 1260 year prophecy begin and end?
The 1260 years began in 538 AD when the papacy gained uncontested civil authority after the defeat of the Ostrogoths. It ended in 1798 AD when French General Berthier invaded Rome, abolished the Papal States, and exiled Pope Pius VI. Exactly 1260 years from start to finish.
What is the day-for-a-year principle in prophecy?
The day-for-a-year principle is established in Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6. In symbolic time prophecy, one prophetic day equals one literal year. This principle converts 1260 prophetic days into 1260 literal years.
What power does Daniel 7:25 describe?
Daniel 7:25 describes a power that would "think to change times and laws" and persecute the saints for 1260 years. Historicist interpretation identifies this as the papal system, which claims to have changed the Sabbath and persecuted dissenters throughout the medieval period.
Go Deeper
Full Documentation
- Appendix D: The 1260-Year Timeline — Complete historical analysis
- 1260 Timeline — Interactive prophetic timeline
Related Prophecies
- Chapter 8: The Mathematical Prophecy — Full chapter on Daniel's timeline
- Catholic Admissions — "Think to change times and laws" fulfilled
Interactive Studies
- Prophetic Timeline — All prophecies visualized
- 2300 Days Calculator — The longer timeline to 1844