Topical Encyclopedia In biblical prophecy, the concept of "time" often carries a symbolic meaning that extends beyond the literal understanding of days, months, and years. A prophetic year, frequently understood as 360 days, is a significant unit in interpreting prophetic timelines, particularly in apocalyptic literature such as the books of Daniel and Revelation.Biblical Basis for a 360-Day Year The notion of a 360-day prophetic year is derived from various scriptural passages where time is expressed in symbolic terms. In the book of Daniel, the phrase "time, times, and half a time" (Daniel 7:25) is often interpreted as a period of three and a half years. This interpretation aligns with the 1,260 days mentioned in Revelation 12:6 , suggesting a year of 360 days (360 days x 3.5 years = 1,260 days). Historical Context and Ancient Calendars The ancient Hebrew calendar, like many ancient Near Eastern calendars, was primarily lunar, consisting of 12 months of 30 days each, totaling 360 days. This system required periodic adjustments to align with the solar year, which is approximately 365.25 days. However, in prophetic literature, the simplified 360-day year is often used for symbolic purposes, emphasizing the completeness and divine order of God's plan. Interpretation in Prophetic Literature In prophetic contexts, the use of a 360-day year serves to convey specific theological messages. For instance, in Daniel 9:24-27 , the prophecy of the "seventy weeks" is often interpreted using the 360-day year to calculate the timeline leading to the coming of the Messiah. Similarly, in Revelation, the periods of 1,260 days, 42 months, and "time, times, and half a time" are understood within this framework, providing a consistent method for interpreting eschatological events. Theological Implications The use of a 360-day prophetic year underscores the sovereignty and precision of God's timing in the unfolding of redemptive history. It reflects the belief that God's plans are meticulously ordered and will come to pass exactly as foretold. This understanding encourages believers to trust in the divine timetable, even when human comprehension of time and events may be limited. Conclusion While the concept of a 360-day prophetic year may seem foreign to modern readers accustomed to the Gregorian calendar, it remains a vital interpretive tool within biblical prophecy. By recognizing the symbolic nature of time in prophetic language, students of the Bible can gain deeper insights into the divine narrative and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. Torrey's Topical Textbook Daniel 12:7And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was on the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. Torrey's Topical Textbook Revelation 12:14 Library Chronology of the Life of Christ. The Society of Friends, or Quakers. The Sixth vision "On Earth" The Prophet Amos. Inspiration of Scripture. --Gospel Difficulties. --The Word of God ... The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ... Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ... The Essay which Brings up the Rear in this Very Guilty Volume is ... The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ... Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ... Resources Will we experience time in heaven? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of “redeeming the time” in Ephesians 5:16? | GotQuestions.org What time was Jesus crucified? What time did Jesus die on the cross? | GotQuestions.org Time: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Time in Prophetic Language, Means a Prophetic Year, or 360 Natural Time: All Events of, Predetermined by God Time: All God's Purposes Fulfilled in Due Time Time: Computed by Hours, After the Captivity Time: Daniel's Reckoning of Time, and Times, and Half Times Time: Division of, Into Watches Time: Epochs of Before the Flood Time: Eras from Which, Computed: Accession of Kings Time: Eras from Which, Computed: Building of the Temple Time: Eras from Which, Computed: Nativity of the Patriarchs During the Patriarchal Age Time: Eras from Which, Computed: The Captivity Time: Eras from Which, Computed: The Exodus from Egypt Time: Eras from Which, Computed: The Jubilee Time: One Day is Like One-Thousand Years Time: Part of a Period of, Usually Counted As the Whole Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Accepted Time Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Ancient Time Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Evil Time Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Healing Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Need Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Reformation Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Refreshing Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Restitution of all Things Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Temptation Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Trouble Time: Particular Periods of, Mentioned: The Time of Visitation Time: Shortness of Man's Portion of Time: should be Spent in Fear of God Time: The Duration of the World Time: The Heavenly Bodies, Appointed As a Means for Computing Time: The Measure of the Continuance of Anything Time: The Sun-Dial Early Invented for Pointing Out Related Terms |