The 1335 Days
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Let's ask God to help us, before beginning this lesson:
Father,
The very last prophetic period presented to the prophet Daniel was the 1335 days.
To understand the meaning of this prophecy, we need Your Word, but also the presence of
Your Holy Spirit.
We humbly ask You to enlighten us and to guide us, so that we may always wisely use the
knowledge You will give us.
In Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
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Daniel 12:11
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.
Daniel 8:10,11
[The little horn] grew up to the host of heaven; and it
cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.
He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices
were taken away.
In our last lesson, we learned that the prophecy of the 1290 days began when
the daily sacrifice was taken away, a work which Daniel chapter 8
attributes to the little horn, a symbol of the Church of Rome.
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Revelation 13:5,6
He was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God.
Revelation 11:2
They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two
months.
The removal of the daily sacrifice corresponds with the arrival of the Church
of Rome on the political scene, in A.D. 538.
During the following 1260 years (42 prophetic months), the Church of Rome presented itself
as God's representative on earth, thus attacking Jesus' work of intercession in the
heavenly sanctuary.
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Daniel 12:7
[The man clothed in linen] swore by Him who lives
forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the
holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
Since the 1290 years concern the Roman Church's reign, the course of the 1290
years takes place during this reign, which has two distinct stages:
- A first reign of 1260 years: «for a time, times, and half a time», from
A.D. 538 to 1798.
- Then, a second and last reign: «and when the power
of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.»
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Daniel 12:11
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.
Revelation 17:2,4
The kings of the earth committed fornication [with the
great harlot], and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her
fornication. (...)
[She had] in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her
fornication.
So the 1290 days end during the Roman Church's second reign, when «the abomination of desolation is set up», that is, an event
linked with the alliance between the apostate Church and the nations made drunk with her
wine.
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Daniel 12:4
But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book
until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
We then proposed two hypotheses about the end of the 1290 days.
According to the first hypothesis, the Church of Rome's second reign began in 1929,
following the Lateran treaty.
This event re-started the course of the 1290 years, which had been interrupted after 1260
years (in 1798, at the end of the first reign).
The «abomination» marking the end of the 1290 years may
then describe the announcement of the Second Vatican Council in 1959, thirty years after
the beginning of the Church of Rome's second reign.
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Daniel 12:10
The wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked
shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
According to the second hypothesis, the Church of Rome's second reign started
in 1948 (after the 150 years of torment of the fifth trumpet, during which the Church of
Rome lost all its influence over the nations).
Then, the 1290 years came to an end in 1978 (30 years later), with the election of pope
John Paul II, the man who promoted ecumenism in the most efficient way.
Let's remember that other hypotheses are possible, and that we must remain open to the
revelations God may give us.
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Daniel 12:11-13
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 he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance
at the end of the days.
Now, let's look at the 1335 days.
The book of Daniel clearly presents this last prophetic period as being an extension to
the 1290 days: «Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the 1335
days.»
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Daniel 12:11,12
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 he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
Now, where does the period of the 1335 days lead us?
Why is the one «who waits, and comes to the 1335 days»
blessed?
If we look closely at the structure of Daniel chapter 12, we
will discover a perfect chiasmus which gives us most vital information.
According to this chiasmus, in which the first six elements of chapter 12 correspond with
the last six in reverse order, the period of the 1335 days leads to outstanding days...
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Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud
voices in heaven, saying,
«The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and
He shall reign forever and ever!»
In our lesson on the seventh trumpet, «Inauguration
of the Kingdom of God», we have seen that the sound of the seventh trumpet announces
the return of Jesus.
Now, Daniel chapter 12 presents a direct parallel with the
seventh trumpet, thus confirming that the prophetic period of the 1335 days leads to the
days of Jesus' return.
Let's look at this...
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Daniel 12:12,13
Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand
three hundred and thirty-five days.
But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance
at the end of the days.
The conclusion of the book of Daniel already
suggested that the 1335 days lead to the days of Jesus' return: indeed, the angel told
Daniel that he would receive his inheritance «at the end of the
days», that is, at the end of the 1335 days.
But even more convincing is the use of the expression: «Blessed is
he who...»
How is this expression linked with Jesus' return?
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Daniel 12:12
Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand
three hundred and thirty-five days.
Each one of the three books making up the cornerstone of Bible prophecy
contains the expression «Blessed...»:
- only once in the book of Daniel, linked with
the 1335 days;
- only once in Matthew chapter 24;
- and seven times (the perfect number) in the book of Revelation.
Amazingly, each one of these nine «Blessed...» refers to
the very same event: the return of Jesus. Let's look at each one of them.
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Matthew 24:45,46
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master
made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
In Matthew chapter 24, the only «Blessed...» is associated with the coming of the master, that
is, the return of Jesus.
Besides, this blessing is linked with the work of the patient and persevering servant,
while waiting for Jesus' coming: this reminds us of the phrase «Blessed
is he who waits, and comes to the 1335 days.» (Daniel 12:12)
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Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of
this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Let's now look at the seven «Blessed...»
contained in the book of Revelation. They are the key to
understanding the 1335 days, since their progression describes the unfolding of the last
days of this world's history, until Jesus' return.
The first «Blessed...» appears in the first verses of Revelation, and leads us to the days just preceding the return of
Jesus: «Blessed is he who reads (...) for the time is near.»
The 1335 days thus leads us to the last countdown before the glorious return of Jesus.
Precise events will take place at that time, indicating to those who are watching that
this last countdown has begun.
We will study in detail the events that will take place at that time, in the seven lessons
of the section «The Last Hours of History».
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Revelation 14:13,14
«Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.
Yes,» says the Spirit, «that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow
them.»
And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man,
having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.
The second «Blessed...» introduces the scene of
the great harvest. As we will study in a future lesson, this scene represents the glorious
return of Jesus, gathering the righteous like good seed.
This «Blessed...» is addressed to all those who have worked
in God's harvest, which has cost them their lives. This indicates that the last days will
be marked by an unprecedented evangelistic effort, and by a time of persecution against
the faithful believers.
Now we can better understand why the 1335 days correspond, according to the chiasmus of Daniel 12, to «a time of trouble, such as
never was since there was a nation, even to that time» (Daniel 12:1).
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Revelation 14:13
«Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.
Yes,» says the Spirit, «that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow
them.»
Daniel 12:12,13
Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand
three hundred and thirty-five days.
But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance
at the end of the days.
Besides, let's note the striking parallel between this «Blessed...»
and that of Daniel chapter 12.
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Revelation 16:15
Behold, I am coming as a thief.
Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his
shame.
Revelation 19:9
Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper
of the Lamb!
While the second «Blessed...» was addressed to
all those who will die before the return of Jesus, the third «Blessed...»
is addressed to those who will still be alive at the time of the battle of Armageddon
(which we will study in a future lesson), taking place just before the coming of Jesus «as a thief».
And from the fourth «Blessed...» onward, we finally witness
the event that has been hoped-for and long-awaited: the glorious return of Jesus Christ,
which is the occasion for the marriage supper of the Lamb.
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Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first
resurrection.
Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Revelation 22:7
Behold, I am coming quickly!
Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
The fifth «Blessed...», associated with the
first resurrection, and the sixth «Blessed...» are thus
directly linked to the glorious return of Jesus.
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Revelation 22:12-14
«And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with
Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the
Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.»
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of
life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
And finally, the seventh and last «Blessed...»
of Revelation is pronounced along with the announcement of
Jesus' return, proclaiming the bliss of those who, through the blood of the Lamb, will
inherit eternal life.
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Matthew 24:36
But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the
angels of heaven, but My Father only.
Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the
hour.
The 1335 days lead to the days of Jesus' return. But is it possible to know the
date of this glorious event?
Let's carefully note Jesus' words: «You know neither the day nor
the hour.»
So, without being able to determine the precise date of His coming, it isn't ruled out
that we might know the year.
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Acts 1:6,7
[The apostles] asked Him, saying, «Lord, will You at
this time restore the kingdom to Israel?»
And [Jesus] said to them, «It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father
has put in His own authority.»
Daniel 12:4
But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book
until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
Likewise, whereas it was not for the apostles to «know
the times», it is different for those whose «knowledge
shall increase» in the last days.
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Matthew 24:42-44
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord
is coming.
But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come,
he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not
expect Him.
Interestingly, while saying that no one can know the precise moment of His
return, that is, the day and hour, Jesus compared this event to the coming of a thief.
Now, let's carefully read the following passage...
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Revelation 3:3
Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as
a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
In one of His letters to the churches, Jesus confirms that He will come as a
thief, that is, in a sudden and unexpected way.
But let's note for whom Jesus will come as a thief: «If you will
not watch, I will come upon you as a thief.»
Even more, Jesus specifies that he who doesn't watch «will not know
what hour» He will come.
So we can deduce that, on the other hand, Jesus won't come as a thief for the one who is
watchful. Now, the apostle Paul precisely confirms this, in the next passage...
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1 Thessalonians 5:2-4
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the
Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
For when they say, «Peace and safety!» then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor
pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
In fact, Paul confirms that, for all men, Jesus will come «as
a thief in the night», except for those who «are not in
darkness».
So it is indeed possible not to be surprised by this great event.
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Daniel 12:11,12
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 he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
So, the 1335 days will come to an end 45 years after the end of the 1290 days
(1335 - 1290 = 45).
The serious student, who arrives at the correct conclusion about the meaning of this
prophecy, will therefore discover the year when the last countdown of this world's history
and the «time of trouble» (Daniel 12:1) begin, leading to
the return of Jesus.
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Daniel 12:12
Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand
three hundred and thirty-five days.
According to our two hypotheses, this last countdown might begin in 2004 (if
the 1290 days end in 1959), or in 2023 (if the 1290 days end in 1978).
But we repeat this warning once again: other hypotheses are possible. It is for each one
of us to ask God to reveal to us which hypothesis is right. For the Bible clearly states:
- in «the time of the end, (...) knowledge shall
increase» (Daniel 12:4);
- and «the wise shall understand» (Daniel
12:10).
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Daniel 12:7
[The man clothed in linen] swore by Him who lives
forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the
holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
Let's conclude this lesson with a few warnings.
First, the prophecy of the 1335 days indicates that the second reign of the Roman Church
will end «when the power of the holy people has been completely
shattered».
This is a call to serious preparation, because the events of the last days will be very
difficult.
Jesus Himself confirmed this fact...
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Luke 21:34-36
Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down
with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you
unexpectedly.
For it will come as a snare an all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things
that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
Jesus' warning supports that of the 1335 days: only very serious preparation
will allow the believer to «be counted worthy to escape all these
things that will come to pass», before Jesus Christ's glorious return.
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Psalm 139:23,24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my
anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Jeremiah 33:3
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and
mighty things, which you do not know.
Another warning: let's always be willing to admit that we may have wrongly
understood the meaning of the 1335 days.
But one thing is sure: at the right moment, God will reveal the truth to the sincere and
serious student.
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Mark 13:37
What I say to you, I say to all: Watch!
A last warning: let's be aware of the danger of thinking we know the year when
the last countdown leading to Jesus' return begins.
Some people, by setting the year too early, can be discouraged when they see that they
were mistaken.
Others, by setting the year too late, may not seriously prepare themselves, wrongly
believing that they still have much time before them.
The only wise attitude is to follow Jesus' advice: let's watch, in order to always be
ready, continuously having a strong personal relationship with our Savior and Lord.
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Let's pray:
Father,
We don't know if our understanding of the 1335 days is at present entirely accurate.
However, we know that, one day, You will reveal the truth to us, for «the
Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets» (Amos
3:7).
But there is something infinitely more important than knowing the year when the last
countdown leading to Jesus' return begins. Above all, we must be ready for this glorious
event.
Please help us to seriously prepare ourselves, because «he who
endures to the end shall be saved» (Matthew 24:13).
In the precious name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.
Source of the Pictures of this Lesson
Screen 1: In: «Photo Gallery 25,000» by Media Graphics
International, CD #2, TPPAR013.JPG. Screen 2: Unknown source.
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II»». In: «John Paul II» (EDWARDS, Patrick), Bison Books, London, 1995, p.19.
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Patrick), Bison Books, London, 1995, p.55. Screen 8: Picture from:
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France. In: «Revelations - Art of the Apocalypse» (GRUBB, Nancy), Abeville Press
Publishers, 1997, p.103. Picture edited by Cyberspace Ministry. Screen 12: STEEL,
John. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1985, p.268. Picture edited by Cyberspace Ministry. Table of Screen
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Association, 1955, p.104. Screen 14: In: «Revelation Seminars»,
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Screen 15: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (October 1, 1988), New York, Watch
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John the Evangelist on Patmos» (1518), Alte Pinakothek, Munich. In: «Revelations - Art
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«Questionnaire Adulte de l'Ecole du Sabbat», Pacific Press Publishing Association, Third
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magazine (March 1996), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.4. Screen 28: Photo
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Association, p.17. Screen 29: In: «Votre Bible et Vous» (MAXWELL,
Arthur S.), Press Publishing Association, front cover. Screen 30: RUDEEN,
Herbert. In: «The Bible Story, volume 8» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1956, p.82. Screen 31: STEEL, John. In: «La Sentinelle»
magazine (April 1993), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.10. Screen 32: RUDEEN,
Herbert. In: «The Bible Story, volume 7» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1956, p.26. Screen 33: In: «Prophecy Seminars», Seminars
Unlimited, 1989, Daniel lesson #23 («The Day of Deliverance»), p.5. Screen 34: EASTMAN,
Bryant. In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (October 1994), Pacific Press Publishing
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Times» magazine (July 1999), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.31. Screen
36: GREENE, Nathan. In: «Signs of the Times» magazine (October 2000), Pacific
Press Publishing Association, p.18. Screen 37: In: «Photo Gallery
25,000» by Media Graphics International, CD #2, EA095.JPG.
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The test of Lesson 53 is waiting for you!