Topical Bible: Time: Daniel's Reckoning of Time, and Times, and Half Times

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The phrase "time, times, and half a time" appears in the Book of Daniel and is a significant element in biblical prophecy, particularly in the context of eschatology. This expression is found in Daniel 7:25 and Daniel 12:7, and it is also echoed in the Book of Revelation. It is often interpreted as a prophetic period, symbolizing a specific duration of tribulation or persecution.

Daniel 7:25
In Daniel 7:25, the phrase is used in the context of a vision concerning a powerful and oppressive ruler who will persecute the saints of the Most High. The verse states: "He will speak against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time."

This passage is generally understood to refer to a period of intense persecution lasting for "a time, times, and half a time." In prophetic literature, "a time" is often interpreted as one year, "times" as two years, and "half a time" as half a year, totaling three and a half years. This interpretation aligns with the symbolic use of numbers in apocalyptic literature, where three and a half is seen as a broken seven, symbolizing incompleteness or a period cut short.

Daniel 12:7
In Daniel 12:7, the phrase appears again in the context of the end times and the deliverance of God's people. The verse reads: "The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted up his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, 'It will be for a time, times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been shattered, all these things will be completed.'"

Here, the phrase is associated with the culmination of a period of suffering and the ultimate deliverance of the faithful. The "shattering of the power of the holy people" suggests a time of severe trial, after which divine intervention will bring about the fulfillment of God's promises.

Interpretation and Significance
The phrase "time, times, and half a time" has been the subject of much interpretation and debate among scholars and theologians. In a conservative Christian viewpoint, it is often seen as a literal or symbolic period of tribulation preceding the second coming of Christ. This period is sometimes equated with the "Great Tribulation" mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Revelation.

The recurrence of the three and a half-year period in both Daniel and Revelation suggests a thematic link between the two books, emphasizing the continuity of God's plan throughout biblical prophecy. In Revelation 12:14, the phrase is used to describe the protection of the woman (often interpreted as the Church or Israel) from the dragon, further reinforcing the idea of divine preservation during times of trial.

Theological Implications
The concept of "time, times, and half a time" underscores the sovereignty of God over history and the assurance of His ultimate victory over evil. It serves as a reminder to the faithful of the temporary nature of suffering and the certainty of divine deliverance. This prophetic period is a testament to God's control over the unfolding of events and His commitment to the redemption of His people.

In summary, Daniel's reckoning of "time, times, and half a time" is a profound element of biblical prophecy, rich with symbolic meaning and theological significance. It invites believers to trust in God's timing and to remain steadfast in faith amidst trials, confident in the promise of His eventual triumph.

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Daniel 7:25
And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
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Daniel 12:7
And 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.
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Library

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... The numbers of the books of Daniel and Revelation, particularly the "time and times
and dividing of time ... Either the time from which the reckoning is to ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... which were to pass over Nebuchadnezzar [Daniel 4:16 ... those other parallel phrases,
of "a time, times, and a ... but rather days for years; by which reckoning, and by ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

Watching the Horizon
... a very brief time, perhaps an instant of our reckoning. ... thoughtful study and judgment
of the time made them ... a similar significant word spoken to Daniel in the ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/viii watching the horizon.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... As they could see no error in their reckoning of the prophetic periods, they were
led to examine more ... At that time, as foretold by Daniel the prophet ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... As they could see no error in their reckoning of the prophetic periods, they were
led to examine more ... At that time, as foretold by Daniel the prophet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

The Scattering of the People
... And now the day of reckoning had come. ... discoveries are being made, all proving the
accuracy of Daniel's writings ... to-day, carries us back only to the time of our ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter v the scattering of.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... of Scripture, [924]386; his commentary on Daniel referred to, [925 ... 939]77; who were
kings at the time of the ... with the times of the saints, reckoning from Abraham ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... At times, however, we find in Jeremiah also joyous ... Reckoning back from this date
thirty years, we ... relations, manners, and customs belonging to Daniel's time. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

A Sight of the Crowned Christ
... has lived amongst us for a generation of time, and then ... come on a special errand,
as in Daniel's experience.[62 ... despised and reckoned as not worth reckoning with ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/iii a sight of the crowned.htm

In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ...
... of the reign of Tiberius C??sar - reckoning, as provincials ... the support of Israel's
cause; [1376] Daniel had been ... the Kingdom was, at the same time, the laying ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi in the fifteenth.htm