The Three Prophetic Eras of Daniel

By J Huntley Huber

The expression "time, times and half a time," or its equivalent, appears three times in the Bible, twice in the book of Daniel (7:25 and 12:7) and once in Revelations (12:14), each occurrence measuring to a distinctly different prophetic fulfillment.  By far the most frequent interpretation of the expression equates it to a fixed duration of time, almost always as 3.5 units, with each unit being most frequently thought of as a 360 day year; although some interpreters use the day/year principle to expand each of the 1260 days to a year's duration.  This interpretation as 1260 days or years is based on the parallelism between Rev. 12:14 and Rev. 12:6.  Because of difficulties arising from inconsistencies or disappointments with such strict durations, some have concluded the expression represents an indefinite duration.   The interpretation advanced below is none of these.  It interprets the expression as three separate and consecutive eras (times) with each era's "fullness period" being tied to one of the three chronological prophecies as given in the book of Daniel.  The timing for the fulfillment of these prophecies (to date at least) has been precise.  These eras are more commonly called the meridian of time, the times of the gentiles, and the time of the end.  In no sense are these eras a prelude to some sort of divine judgment accompanied with fiery destruction. Rather they are merely preparatory steps for the spiritual maturation of humankind, to the immediate benefit of all three of the Abrahamic religions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jay Huber
• Release date: Oct 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9780983073925

J Huntley Huber

He started his career as a rogue pre-theology student in one religion and ended it in self-imposed exile from another.  Professionally he was a mathematician - teaching either at the college level or working as a crypto-mathematician for the U.S. government.   After becoming fascinated with the tactics and strategies employed in mathematics to solve problems and extend theory, he applied those principles to his religious studies.  His submersion in such serious efforts has been relieved by his designing and helping to build two houses, one very small bridge, and a fish hatchery.  A collector at heart, he enjoys the hunt and catch more than possession, whether it be in genealogy, for books, or any of half a dozen other passionsHe started his career as a rogue pre-theology student in one religion and ended it in self-imposed exile from another.  Professionally he was a mathematician - teaching either at the college level or working as a crypto-mathematician for the U.S. government.   After becoming fascinated with the tactics and strategies employed in mathematics to solve problems and extend theory, he applied those principles to his religious studies.  His submersion in such serious efforts has been relieved by his designing and helping to build two houses, one very small bridge, and a fish hatchery.  A collector at heart, he enjoys the hunt and catch more than possession, whether it be in genealogy, for books, or any of half a dozen other passions

Book preview

Overview

The expression time , times and half a time, or its equivalent, appears three times in the Bible, twice in the book of Daniel (7:25 and 12:7) and once in Revelations (12:14), each occurrence measuring to a distinctly different prophetic fulfillment.  By far the most frequent interpretation of the expression equates it to a fixed duration of time, almost always as 3.5 units, with each unit being most frequently thought of as a 360 day year; although some interpreters use the day/year principle to expand each of the 1260 days to a year’s duration.  This interpretation as 1260 days or years is based on the parallelism between Rev. 12:14 and Rev. 12:6.  Because of difficulties arising from inconsistencies or disappointments with such strict durations, some have concluded the expression represents an indefinite duration.  The interpretation advanced below is none of these.  It interprets the expression as three separate and consecutive eras (times) with each era’s fullness period being tied to one of the three chronological prophecies as given in the book of Daniel.  The timing for the fulfillment of these prophecies (to date at least) has been precise.  These eras are more commonly called the meridian of time, the times of the gentiles, and the time of the end.  In no sense are these eras being presented as a prelude to some sort of divine judgment accompanied with fiery destruction. Rather they are merely preparatory steps for the spiritual maturation of humankind, to the immediate benefit of all three of the Abrahamic religions.

Background

Approaches to Interpretation

Agreement as to meaning is further hampered by two radically different approaches.  The vast majority of recent commentators base their interpretations on the premise that the prophetic texts were authored by mortal hands attempting to untangle the near future based on faith dependent extrapolations from current events.  They weave together logic, linguistic analysis, and historic reconstructions to show that the text, often mangled and incomplete, is a natural child of its time, written so as to instill hope and strengthen resolve.  No recognition of prophetic validity is recognized. This stance is particularly noted in commentaries on Daniel. 

A much smaller minority interpret the phrase and its prophetic links with the mystical component of their faith dominating, seeing the essence of man as spirit, housed in a temporary body yet shepherded by other spirits of benign power and exalting purpose, which spirits on occasion impress upon our minds both thought and vision, which we craft into words as best we might.  Such visions, when truthfully captured, are not predictions but promises made by those able to fulfill them.  They consider Daniel and John as merely the channels through which divine inspiration flowed.

Various middle ground positions are occupied by those who see the texts as rooted in events concurrent with the authors, yet honored by divine power so as to have them serve as types, foreshadowing significant and positive spiritual fulfillments in a subsequent age.  Thus for them such texts serve dual purposes: one for immediate needs and the other for the unfolding of a long term plan.  In an article devoted to the book of Daniel, the Catholic Encyclopedia states the rule thus: even when the prophets of the Old Testament deliver a Divine message for far distant days, they have in view the needs of the people of their own day.[1]  They recognize that prophecy rooted in current events gave it immediacy and relevancy to the first receivers, thereby assuring that the prophecies would be respected and preserved.  For them, the scriptural context has both historical and prophetic (futuristic) import. 

Linguistic Considerations

A study of the original language does not decide the matter. In Daniel, two different words for time are used.  In Daniel 7:25, the Chaldean word iddan (5732)[2]  is employed while in Dan 12:7, moed (4150) is used. 

Iddan is not used in any other book of the Bible whereas moed is used in both Exodus 34:18 and 1 Samuel 9:24.  In Exodus, moed is used to specify the appointed time for keeping the feast of unleavened bread, thus giving it a connotation of setting or appointing a time.  Since the feast was an annual event, the word acquired the conventional meaning of a year.  That is also how the word iddan is used in Daniel 4:16, in reference to the seven years in which Nebuchadnezzar was removed from the throne and lived as a beast in the field. (verses 16, 23, 25).  Iddan’s primitive root, ayd (5708), evolved into words (5710, 5749) that made reference to that which was periodic or repeated.

However, both words can also be used in reference not to a periodic event but to that which has an appointed time.  In the book of Samuel, we read of the prophet having invited thirty of the chief citizens of Ramah to a banquet, with Saul being given the place of honor.  When the meat was placed before Saul, he was told that the portion of honor had been carefully put aside for him and that unto this time [moed] hath it been kept for thee.  There can be little doubt that here the word moed denotes not a year but an appointed moment.  Similarly iddan, as used in Dan. 3:5 and 3:15, can only refer to an appointed moment, that moment when upon the sound of various musical instruments all were to bow down and worship the golden