Revelation: Daniels Two Time Periods

Setting

The following is a description of the events that are described in Daniel 11 and Daniel chapter 12. The reason for bringing them up here is to dovetail those prophetic events with the role of the Antichrist, both in the deaths of the two witnesses, detailed in this chapter, and the erection of his image by the false prophet described in Revelation 13:11-18. There is more discussion that directly relates to this page, by following the links to Daniel chapter 11 timelines and Daniel chapter 12 timelines on this website.

In Revelation 11:7, John reported that the Lord alone determines when the testimony of the two witnesses is complete, and then the beast will be allowed to attack, overpower, and kill them. In the study of Daniel chapter 11 in this web site, it was shown that the Antichrist may be in the city weeks prior to the mid-tribulation time to fight the armies from the north and south of Israel.

A significant future battle will take place in which the forces of the north and south of Jerusalem will array themselves in battle against the Antichrist, as described in Daniel 11:40-43. Many countries are part of this confederation but none are explicitly listed. Some feel that this is the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38:1-23 and Ezekiel 39:1-29, others do not, and this was covered in this web site on the timeline for Ezekiel chapter 38 and the timeline for Ezekiel chapter 39. This federation in Daniel 11:1-45 may be another group of countries who conspire against the Antichrist, and it will be a ferocious battle.

These countries, possibly including Syria and Egypt, will have ships in the Mediterranean sea to oppose the Antichrist, and all their forces will come upon the forces of the Antichrist suddenly. The Antichrist’s involvement and interest in the war upon Israel may be a result of the passages described in Daniel 9:27, when the Antichrist confirms a covenant with Israel for one week (seven years), to initiate the tribulation period. Anyone attacking Israel will cause the Antichrist to respond. The Antichrist’s forces will prevail and completely overwhelm the opposing forces. The control of the Antichrist may be similar to that depicted below.

To better understand the timing of the events between Daniel 11:1-45 and Revelation 11:1-19, review the other dates revealed to Daniel in Daniel 12:7-13, which only appear here in scripture. From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the image of the Antichrist is erected, to the end of the judgment will be 1,290 days, 30 days longer than 3 ½ years given in Daniel 12:7. A blessing is promised for those who reach 1,335 days, 75 days longer than 3 ½ year period.

There is no general consensus on the interpretations of these additional dates, however, consider that the events described in Daniel 11:40 through the end of Daniel 12 were given to be 3 1/2 years. The additional days could be based on when the image of Antichrist is erected in the holy place. It may be that the 1,290 days occurs 30 days prior to mid-tribulation. This may be the same case with the 1,335 days. If it starts at the same time as 1,290 days, then there is a blessing for those who survive 45 days after the end of Armageddon. This could be the time when the glory of the Lord enters into the new millennial temple, Ezekiel 43:1-5. The “midst of the tribulation” given in Daniel 9:27 is not an exact time for when the abomination occurs, but may refer to a time within the middle tribulation period, and cover the scenario proposed here. More information is available on this subject on the extra days in Daniel on this web site's page on Daniel chapter 12:11.

The yellow bar extending through the mid-tribulation through the second half of the tribulation illustrates the time and duration of the Antichrist's occupation of Israel and his command post in Jerusalem. Daniel 11:40 describes the context of his entry into Israel, to protect her from her enemies. The occupation and his control of the region are given in Daniel 11:41-45. He also hears of the invading forces from the 200,000,000 man army from the east that he has to respond to, which is in Daniel 11:44, with relevant passages in Revelation 16:1-21, Revelation 18:1-24, and Revelation 19:1-21.