The 1260-Year Proof

The Prophecy

Daniel and Revelation both predict a religious power would rule for exactly 1,260 years:

"They shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."

Daniel 7:25

"Time" (1 year) + "times" (2 years) + "dividing of time" (½ year) = 3½ years.

3½ years × 360 days = 1,260 days.

In prophetic symbolism, 1 day = 1 year (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6).

Therefore: 1,260 prophetic days = 1,260 literal years.

The Starting Point: 538 AD

In 538 AD, the last obstacle to papal supremacy fell when Byzantine forces broke the Ostrogothic siege of the city of Rome. The Bishop of Rome now held religious authority (from Emperor Justinian's decree) and practical power (military protection).

Papal supremacy began: 538 AD.

The Calculation

The Ending Point: 1798 AD

On February 10, 1798, French General Berthier marched into the city of Rome. The Pope was taken prisoner. The papacy was declared abolished. The papal states were annexed.

Exactly 1,260 years after 538 AD. Not 1,259. Not 1,261. Precisely 1,260.

What This Proves

1. Scripture is divinely inspired. No human in 553 BC could predict events 1,260 years in the future with mathematical precision.

2. Prophecy is reliable. If this prophecy was fulfilled exactly, other prophecies will be too.

3. We're living in the final era. Revelation says the "deadly wound" would heal, and it has. The papacy regained sovereignty in 1929 and now influences world politics.

You can argue theology. You can dispute interpretations.

But you can't argue with math.