JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

February 1989

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question concerning the mysterious 1,290 and 1,335 days mentioned in Daniel 12:11-12.

Daniel was told that his prophecies would be sealed until the end of the age, but then God would reveal the meaning to His servants (verses 9 and 10). We are now very near the time when these prophecies will be fulfilled, and God is now revealing what they mean.

These time periods refer to events that will happen to the people of God in this generation. Each period begins with a significant event. And both the 1,290-day and 1,335-day periods end with the return of Jesus Christ. But, we should first notice the main subject of Daniel 12. It is the time of the end.

Daniel wrote, "When the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished" (verse 7, NKJV). This refers back to verse 1, which states that Michael the archangel will stand up for God's people during a time of trouble "such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time."

This is the beginning of the Great Tribulation spoken of by Christ in Matthew 24:21-22. The Great Tribulation will last three-and-one-half years -- "a time, times, and half a time" (Dan. 12:7; Rev. 12:14).

With these things in mind, look again at Daniel 12:11: "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" (NKJV). This verse seems to indicate that the Jews in the modern nation of Israel may restore the twice-daily sacrifice (please see Exodus 29:38-39). However, it does not necessarily imply that a temple will be built in our time in Jerusalem. (This verse was fulfilled, at least in type, when Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the Temple during his assault on Jerusalem in 167-164 B.C.)

Since this verse also states that the "daily sacrifice is taken away," the indication is that the armies of the "beast" of Revelation 17, upon entering Jerusalem, will ban this ritual. Should this be the case, there would be 1,290 days, just a little over three and a half years, until the appearance of the Messiah.

Daniel adds, "Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days" (Dan. 12:12, NKJV). This is a blessing pronounced upon the people of God who endure until the 1,335 days, that is, to the period beginning about 1,335 days before Christ's coming.

Since no one knows the day of Christ's coming (Matt. 24:36; Acts 1:7), we may not know the exact time when the 1,335 days begin. Apparently, however, at that time, the organized efforts of God's Work to proclaim the Gospel to the world will end.

Forty-five days later, or 1,290 days before the return of Christ, the beast's armies will surround Jerusalem. Those who are worthy will have been warned and taken to a place of refuge God has provided for them (Rev. 12:14-16).

When God's Church is in a place of protection, the 1,260 days ("a time, times, and half a time," or 42 months) of the Great Tribulation will begin. At the end of the 1,260 days, Jesus Christ will return to this earth.

We hope you will let us know whenever we may be of further assistance. It is our pleasure to be of service.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT