Let’s read Daniel 12:11-12, “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is the one who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days” (NKJV). Students of Bible prophecy have often “scratched their heads” when it comes to these two verses, for they find it hard to reconcile the 1,290 and 1,335 days written here with the length of the Great Tribulation which is clearly 1,260 days. We can confirm that the Great Tribulation is indeed 1,260 days with the following scriptures:

*Daniel 7:25: “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a TIME and TIMES and HALF A TIME.”

*Revelation 13:5: “And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for FORTY-TWO MONTHS.”

*Revelation 11:2-3: “But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for FORTY-TWO MONTHS. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY DAYS, clothed in sackcloth.”

These passages all describe the 3 ½ years of the Great Tribulation. A “time” speaks of “one year” and thus a “time and times and half a time” speak of 3 ½ years. FORTY-TWO MONTHS is surely 3 ½ years and ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY DAYS also speak of 3 ½ years for according to the Jewish calendar a year was made up of 360 days. In Daniel 12:11 it refers to “the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away,” for that event will signal the Great Tribulation. This is confirmed in the following scriptures:

*Daniel 9:27: “Then he (the Roman Prince) shall confirm a covenant with many for ONE WEEK (7 years); but in the MIDDLE OF THE WEEK he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate.”

*Matthew 24:15: “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…then there shall be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

Putting all of this together, there will be a 7 year peace treaty signed between a Gentile leader (the Head of the Revived Roman Empire) and the many Jews living in Israel. In this treaty the Roman Prince will no doubt guarantee them protection from their Arab enemies AND he will allow them to rebuild their temple and resume temple sacrifices. But in the middle of the 7 years he will break the treaty and cause the sacrifices to end. If you read Revelation 13:11-18 you will see that the Antichrist (the False Messiah living in Israel) will set up an image of the Beast (the Roman Prince) in the temple and demand worship for him. Together those two will “rule the world” and for 3 ½ years they will speak blasphemies against God. Their reign of terror will come to an end when the Lord Jesus Christ comes to establish His kingdom over the earth as King of kings, and Lord of lords (see Revelation 19:11-21).

So, what are we to think about the “extra days” (1,290 and 1,335 days)? In other words, if the Lord is manifested after exactly 1,260 days, what will take place during the extra 75 days? I am not absolutely certain, but this may very well be the time needed for the Lord Jesus to execute judgment upon all of His enemies before He officially sits on His throne and sets up His Millennial Kingdom. I would encourage you to read about the “Judgment of the nations” in Matthew 25:31-46 and the “Judgment of Israel” in Ezekiel 20:33-38 and 34:16-22. It seems reasonable to assume that the full blessing for Israel and the world will not come until the ungodly are judged and removed from the earth. Those who remain will “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). (287.3) (DO)