Why do Daniel and Revelation give varying counts of 1,260, 1,290, and 1,335 days for the tribulation?

Answer

The books of Daniel and Revelation are often studied together because their prophecies concerning the end times complement each other. Both books mention specific numbers of days during the tribulation: Daniel refers to 1,290 days and 1,335 days, while Revelation mentions 1,260 days, resulting in a total difference of 75 days (1,335 – 1,260 = 75).

Daniel 12:11–12 states, “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.”

Revelation 11:3 mentions, “And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

Both of these prophecies refer to specific time periods linked to the seven-year tribulation.

Another verse in Daniel establishes the duration of two time segments in the tribulation: “[The prince who is to come] will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven,’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple, he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him” «And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week, he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations, he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.», (Daniel 9:27). The “prince who is to come” is the Antichrist or the “beast” of Revelation.

According to Daniel 9:27, the tribulation begins with the signing of a peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel, intended to last for one “seven,” which represents a period of seven years. However, this “seven” is divided into halves: midway through the seven-year period.In the end times, the Antichrist violates the treaty and places a sacrilegious object in the temple (the “abomination that causes desolation”). The term “in the middle” indicates that the initial half of the tribulation lasts for 3½ years (1,260 days, based on a “prophetic year” of 360 days). Similarly, the latter half of the tribulation extends for another 1,260 days (another 3½ years), totaling seven years.

Revelation 11:3 specifically notes 1,260 days, aligning precisely with Daniel’s prediction of the abomination of desolation. In Revelation, an additional detail is provided: two divinely appointed witnesses will preach and perform miracles during half of the tribulation—the first half, as per Revelation’s timeline. These two witnesses are martyred at the midpoint of the tribulation; their bodies will remain in the streets for three and a half days while the world rejoices over their demise; then they will be resurrected and ascend to heaven (Revelation 11:7-13).

The 1,260 days of the latter half of the tribulation commence when the Antichrist violates the treaty, takes over the third Jewish temple, and installs a profane and sacrilegious object of worship. This 1,260-day period concludes when the Antichrist is vanquished at the battle of Armageddon upon Jesus’ return to earth, marking the end of the tribulation.

Although Daniel 12:11 mentions 1,290 days, which is 30 days longer than the latter half of the tribulation, various theories have been proposed to elucidate the events of those additional 30 days. One plausible explanation is that during that month, the land of Israel will be reconstructed following the devastation it suffered during the tribulation.

Subsequently, according to Daniel 12:12, there will be an additional 45 days beyond the initial 30 days, after which another event will transpire. While Daniel does not explicitly state what will occur, he mentions that those who endure until the conclusion of that period (1,335 days after the treaty violation)and 75 days after the end of the tribulation) will be “blessed.” The blessing here is entry into the millennial kingdom. What will take place during those 45 days? Very likely, this is when the judgment of the Gentile nations, described in Matthew 25:31–46, will take place. In this judgment, also called the judgment of the sheep and the goats, the Gentiles are judged for their treatment of Israel during the tribulation. Did they aid Jesus’ “brothers and sisters” «And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. », (Matthew 25:40), or did they turn a blind eye to the Jews’ troubles or, worse yet, aid in their persecution?

So, those who survive the tribulation and endure the sheep and goat judgment will enter the millennium. This is a blessing, indeed.

In summary, here is the timeline as we see it:

• Sometime after the rapture of the church, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. This begins the seven-year tribulation.

• At the midpoint of the tribulation (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews.

• At the end of the tribulation (1,260 days after the desecration of the temple), Jesus Christ returns to earth and defeats the forces of the Antichrist.

• During the next 30 days (leading up to 1,290 days after the desecration of the temple), Israel is rebuilt, and the earth is restored.

• During the following 45 days (leading up to 1,335 days after the desecration of the temple), the Gentile nations are judged for their treatment of Israel.

• The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3,5-6).