42 months? 7 years? Ah! Which one is it?
These are the most common timeframes we hear concerning the (ever-approaching) time of distress, but do they cover the full story? Is it possible that the trials and tribulations will last for considerably longer? Say, 49 years? Or perhaps even — 70? Believe it or not, I think this is what scripture describes, when you look closely. But before we delve into this expanded timeframe, let’s quickly recap where we get the 42-month and 7-year points of view; because they’re not entirely wrong.
The Basis for 42 Months
42 months is the timeframe given in Revelation 13, when speaking of the days of blasphemy given to the beast out of the sea.
Revelation 13:5-7 — 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great matters and blasphemies, and he was given authority to do so forty-two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against Elohim, to blaspheme His Name, and His Tent, and those dwelling in the heaven. 7 And it was given to him to fight with the set-apart ones and to overcome them. And authority was given to him over every tribe and tongue and nation. (The Scriptures)
It’s also widely believed that 42 months and the phrase ‘time, times, and half a time,’ (found in Daniel 7:25 & 12:7, as well as Revelation 12:14) are the same measurements. I believe this, as well. If a time is the same as a year, then times would be 2 years, and half a time would be half a year.
1 year + 2 years + 1/2 year = 3.5 years
3.5 years = 42 months
Also, notice the similarities between the 4th beast of Daniel 7 and the beast out of the sea.
Daniel 7:25 — and it speaks words against the Most High, and it wears out the set-apart ones of the Most High, and it intends to change appointed times and law, and they are given into its hand for a time and times and half a time. (The Scriptures)
Both of these villains speak great things against the Most High, and they make war with the saints. Since it appears these beasts are one-and-the-same, it’s probably safe to assume that the timeframes are the same as well.
42 months = time, times, and half a time.
The Basis for 7 Years
So there certainly will be a 42-month time of dread; scripture makes that clear. Then why do we hear the term ‘7-year tribulation’ so often? This is mainly due to the 70-week prophecy found in Daniel 9. I won’t be going over that passage in detail now, because I believe the 70 weeks were fulfilled in the times leading up to, and shortly after, Messiah. But just know this: Daniel 9 may have been prophetic, but it wasn’t a prophecy for our time. Or even the end times.
Though with that being said, we can find a 7-year time period (or close to it) in Revelation 12, when we combine the 1260 days with ‘time, times, and half a time.’
Revelation 12:6, 14 — 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by Elohim, to be nourished there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.… 14 And the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, to fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. (The Scriptures)
When calculating on an Enoch solar calendar…
1260 days = 3 years, 5 months, and 13-14 days (depending on a leap year)
3 years, 5 months, and 13-14 days + 42 months = 6 years, 11 months, and 13-14 days
About two weeks shy of a complete 7 years.
7 Years Includes the Two Witnesses
As you can see, the 42-month and 7-year time periods go hand-in-hand, and they are biblically sound. But to get even more specific (and why not?), I believe the 1260 days in Revelation 12 are the same 1260 days given to the two witnesses in the preceding chapter.
Revelation 11:3 — And I shall give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clad in sackcloth. (The Scriptures)
Thus, when the witnesses are killed by the beast at the end of their 1260-day witness, then begins the 42 months. Now granted, Revelation 11 doesn’t specify this, but it’s the order that’s given in Revelation 12: 1260 days, and then time, times, and half a time. Needless to say, it’s going to be a wild 7-year ride. First, the witnesses plague the earth as often as they see fit; then, the beast reaches the peak of his reign of madness.
And that’s the thing we have to understand…
The 42 months is just the pinnacle of mayhem, not the entirety of it. Consider this time to be the climax of the story, but not the whole story. Because as you probably know, every story has exposition, rising action, and conflicts before reaching the climax and conclusion.
With that in mind, now we’re ready to talk about the prolonged tribulation. The one that will last for nearly a lifetime.
The Greater 49-Year Tribulation
In case you’re unaware (and that’s fine if you are), there’s a prophetic book called 2 Baruch, written by the prophet Baruch from Jeremiah. It may not be included in the Apocrypha like its predecessor, Baruch, but I highly recommend it regardless. It’s an absolute gem that contains an immense amount of end-time insight. All of which, in my opinion, supports the prophecies found in scripture, never detracting from them.
Chapters 26-28 of the book are particularly fascinating, as they describe the end times as a period divided into 12 parts. Then, it gives a specific timeframe for how long these 12 parts will last.
2 Baruch 26 — And I answered and said: That tribulation which will be, will it last a long time; and that distress, will it embrace many years?
2 Baruch 27:1-14 — 1 And he answered and said to me: That time will be divided into twelve parts, and each part has been preserved for that for which it was appointed. 2 In the first part: the beginning of commotions. 3 In the second part: the slaughtering of the great. 4 In the third part: the fall of many into death. 5 In the fourth part: the drawing of the sword. 6 In the fifth part: famine and the withholding of rain. 7 In the sixth part: earthquakes and terrors. 8 In the eighth part: a multitude of ghosts and the appearances of demons. 9 In the ninth part: the fall of fire. 10 In the tenth part: rape and much violence. 11 In the eleventh part: injustice and unchastity. 12 In the twelfth part: disorder and a mixture of all that has been before. 13 These parts of that time will be preserved and will be mixed, one with another, and they will minister to each other. 14 For some of these parts will withhold a part of themselves and take from others and will accomplish that which belongs to them and to others; hence, those who live on earth in those days will not understand that it is the end of times.
2 Baruch 28:1-2 — 1 But everyone who will understand will be wise at that time. 2 For the measure and the calculation of that time will be two parts: weeks of seven weeks.
The 12 parts are insightful on their own, as you can probably see similarities between them and the prophecies found in Revelation. But I want to focus on Chapter 28, where it says that this time will be “two parts: weeks of seven weeks.”
What on earth does that mean?
From the perspective of a jubilee period: a week is 7 years, and seven weeks is 49 years (or, a jubilee). What I believe Baruch is saying is that the complete time of these end-time events will be spread over 49 years. Which is quite a bit more than 3.5 or 7 years, is it not?
It seems to me, then, that there’s going to be a long, slow buildup before we reach that final 7-year stretch. Remember my book analogy of exposition, rising action, and conflicts before the climax arrives? Well here it is, my friend, and it’s not going to be pretty.
But it doesn’t end there…
This time period is even more peculiar when you consider that it will be “two parts.” The 49 years won’t continue uninterrupted. Rather, there’s going to be some type of dividing point in the middle. Perhaps it’ll be a break, or a time of silence.
To finish our study, let’s return to Revelation to see if there’s any clues as to how long this break will last.
How Long Is An Hour?
Revelation 17 gives us an interesting unit of time that most people overlook, because it sounds rather vague. But I assure you, every little detail in the bible matters. Every detail.
This chapter is speaking of the beast out of the sea, and how long the tens kings will reign with him.
Revelation 17:12 — And the ten horns which you saw are ten sovereigns who have not yet received a reign, but receive authority as sovereigns with the beast for one hour. (The Scriptures)
One hour. That’s the key. The ten kings have power with the beast for one hour. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t feel this is a casual statement; like when we say, “give me a second,” or “be there in a minute.” An hour in this context means something.
But what?
Are you aware that time appears very different in the eyes of our Creator? Moses was, and Peter too.
Psalm 90:4 (written by Moses) — For a thousand years in Your eyes are like yesterday that has past, or like a watch in the night. (The Scriptures)
2 Peter 3:8 — But, beloved ones, let not this one matter be hidden from you: that with יהוה one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (The Scriptures)
Is it possible, then, that this hour is being spoken from the perspective of heavenly time? And if so, how long is that?
Let’s do the math…
1 day = 1,000 years
Also, 1 day = 24 hours
1,000 / 24 = 41.667
In other words, 1 hour in the eyes of our Creator is the equivalent of 41 years and 8 months to us. How ‘bout that? Just 4 months shy of 42 years. 42. Seems to be an important end-time number, does it not?
And by the way, if you feel that 41.667 is just a random string of numbers, consider this: 41 years and 8 months is 500 solar months exactly. This is too perfect, too precise, to be a coincidence — if you ask me. But for now, let’s focus on the years and not the months, as we round up to 42 to make things a bit easier to grasp.
1 hour = 42 years
Based on that unit of measurement, here’s my hypothesis…
The beast may have a 42-month ‘peak’ of terror, but his complete reign will last for 42 years. Which means there’s going to be roughly a 38-year buildup before the grim conclusion. Let that sink in for a moment, because it’s very different from everything we’ve been taught.
Now, if we combine this with the passage in 2 Baruch, it appears that the ‘two parts: weeks of seven weeks,’ will be a 7-year part and a 42-year part, with a break in between. But how long will this break be, you ask? (I was hoping you would.)
Revelation has the answer, yet again.
How Long Is Half An Hour?
Revelation mentions 3 distinct groups of judgments: the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls. The seals are the start, the trumpets come next, then the bowls conclude the wrath. Once the seventh seal is opened, and before the first trumpet is blown, we’re given another heavenly timestamp.
Revelation 8:1 — And when He opened the seventh seal, there came to be silence in the heaven for about half an hour. (The Scriptures)
Here we go again. Now, I suppose it’s possible that this is a 30-minute period from our perspective; but let’s say we’re dealing with the Father’s clock, just to see how it all lines up. Time to pull out our heavenly calculator once more, except this time we’ll determine what half an hour is. And since we already know the length of an hour, this should be a breeze…
1 hour = 41 years and 8 months
30 minutes = 20 years and 10 months
In the heavenly realm of time, a half an hour is our equivalent to 20 years and 10 months (or, 250 solar months). But, let’s round up and say 21 years.
And now, we put it all together.
And Then There Were 70 Years…
Baruch tells us that there will be a time of 49 years, but it will be divided into two parts. Revelation says that the reign of the beast, the complete reign, will last one hour, or 42 years. Revelation also says that there will be half an hour of silence between the seals and the trumpets, which is 21 years.
Here’s my conclusion…
- Seals 1-7 will last a total of 7 years.
- Then, there will be a 21-year silence, or lull in the action (so to speak).
- After this, the trumpets will commence the final 42 years.
- And these 42 years will conclude with the 1260 days + 42 months.
From start to finish…
7 years +21 years + 42 years = 70 years
To answer the initial question: how long is the tribulation? In total, I believe it’ll be 70 years, with the worst coming at the end. And prophetically speaking, these numbers appear to work.
When looking at Revelation as a whole, the beast out of the sea (chapter 13) is also the beast that will reign for an hour, or 42 years (chapter 17), who is also Apollyon: the angel of the abyss (chapter 9).
There’s a lot to digest in that run-on sentence. So to clarify this beast/hour/Apollyon connection, consider these next few verses.
Revelation 17:8 — The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the pit of the deep and goes to destruction. And those dwelling on the earth, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, shall marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (The Scriptures)
Revelation 9:1-2 ; 11 — 1 And the fifth messenger sounded, and I saw a star from the heaven which had fallen to the earth. And the key to the pit of the deep was given to him. 2 And he opened the pit of the deep, and smoke went up out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. And the sun was darkened, also the air, because of the smoke of the pit.… 11 And they have over them a sovereign, the messenger of the pit of the deep, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apolluon. (The Scriptures)
So the beast will be coming out of the pit, and the leader of the pit is Apolluon (or, Apollyon).
Ring-ring! I think we have a winner!
Also, keep in mind that Apollyon doesn’t appear until the 5th trumpet, which comes after the seal judgements are complete, and after the half hour of silence (21 years). So a 28-year prelude before the trumpet judgements begin doesn’t take away from the ‘hour’ reign of the beast. It just shows us that the end-times are complex. Much more complex than most of us realize. The main villain doesn’t even arrive until the show is nearly halfway done (almost 42% of the way done, actually).
“This Generation Shall Not Pass…”
Here’s one more thing to consider in regards to a 70-year tribulation…
In Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, when our Messiah is speaking of the end-time distress, he concludes with an important detail.
Matthew 24:34 — Truly, I say to you, this generation shall by no means pass away until all this takes place. (The Scriptures)
Some believe that he was speaking to the crowd standing before him, saying that they would not pass away till all this takes place. I disagree, though, because so many of the things he spoke of have yet to come to pass. Because of this, I believe he was saying that the generation to come, the one that will see these things begin, shall not pass away until all is fulfilled.
And if that’s the case, let’s ask ourselves this… how long is a generation? If we’re to believe Moses, it may be 70 years.
Psalm 90:10 (written by Moses) — The days of our lives are seventy years; or if due to strength, eighty years, yet the best of them is but toil and exertion; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (The Scriptures)
Moses lived to be 120. The Exodus occurred when he was 80. So at a minimum, he wrote this Psalm when he was 80. Though he may have been over 100, for all we know. So when he says 70 years, or 80, he was speaking of a broader truth for mankind. That’s why I have to wonder if a biblical generation is, in fact, 70 years.
If it is, let’s revisit what our Messiah said…
Matthew 24:34 — Truly, I say to you, this generation shall by no means pass away until all this takes place. (The Scriptures)
So it’s possible, just possible, that he was saying 70 years shall not pass until all this takes place. Does that fit with what we’ve learned? Sure does.
But There Is Hope
70 years may seem intense. And you know what? It is. For those of us who are still alive to see it, or at least in-part, it won’t be a walk in the park. But, our heavenly Father preserves his children. Whether that’s preserving them in this life, or for the one to come. So do not fear. As long as your hope rests in Messiah, a day will come when our tears are no more. Remember that.
But before then, we’re given another promise.
Matthew 24:22 — And if those days were not shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the sake of the chosen ones those days shall be shortened. (The Scriptures)
It may be 70 years, but will it feel like 70 years? Hmm…
- For more on that topic, check out: “Days Shall Be Shortened… With The 4th Trumpet.“
Thank you so much for reading. And until next time… stay in that thin gate.
— Daniel A., Creator of ThinGate.org
