1260 Days, the Beast and the Two Witnesses
We have studied the events in Daniel chapter 8 which lead up to the final 2300 days. We have also examined the key events which mark the beginning and ending of the 2300 day timeline. It is now time to begin fleshing out the details of the events which will occur DURING the 2300 days in the final fulfillment. As we have already seen, the 2300 day timeline is a time of persecution and trouble for God's true followers. We know this because Daniel 8:13 says that the host (the full company of God's people) of the Prince (Yeshua) will be trodden under foot for 2300 days (this refers to persecution). And we have already discovered that the 2300 days is nearly 6 1/2 years in literal length.
Connecting the dots then, we find that the final time of trouble will not be just 3 1/2 years as many Christians have believed, it will be nearly 6 1/2 years long (2300 literal days)! How, then, have many Bible students come up with a 3.5 year long tribulation period? The answer isn't that it is one or the other. Daniel 8 tells us the persecution will last 2300 days and Daniel 12 tells us that the time of trouble will be 1260 days, and both time lengths are correct and Biblical. In fact, they dovetail perfectly because there are phases and levels of persecution within the overall time of trouble. And while the overall time of persecution will be 2300 literal days, the final 1260 days of it (3.5 years) will be a time of extreme persecution as Daniel 12:1 says, "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."
Thus, we find that the 1260 days of extreme persecution falls within the 2300 days of total persecution. Now, at the outset, this might sound like a scary subject to study. But, while the Bible does warn that no period on earth has ever been as bad as this time will be, it also tells us of mighty and wonderful and powerful things that YHWH will be doing in and through His people during this time. And of all the prophetic timeperiods, this timeline is the most dynamic and exciting of all as spiritual sparks will fly in a dramatic conclusion to the great conflict between Yeshua and Satan. In the end, the beast's reign will crumble and all the world will acknowledge Yeshua as King of kings. Thus, we can study this period with interest and confidence in our Heavenly King.
To begin, it is interesting to note that the 1260 day timeline must be very significant for us to understand as it is the second most repeated time prophecy in the Bible. (The most repeated time prophecy is the length of time Yeshua would be in the tomb.) And YHWH doesn't repeat things over and over unless they are important. The following is a list of places in the Bible where this timeline is mentioned:
Daniel 7:25 - “time, times & a half”
Daniel 12:7 - “time, times & a half”
Revelation 12:14 - “time, times & a half”
Revelation 11:2 - “forty and two months”
Revelation 13:1 - “forty and two months”
Revelation 11:3 - “1260 days”
Revelation 12:6 - “1260 days”
As the above chart shows, the three and a half year timeline of Daniel 7 and 12 is the same time period as the 42 months and 1260 days of Revelation. And this 1260 day timeline aligns with the 2300 day timeline by taking place at the very end of the 2300 day period. In other words, the last day of the 1260 days is also the last day of the 2300 days. To view this on our timeline chart CLICK HERE
As we can quickly guess just from viewing the numerous Bible references to this timeline, there are many significant events prophesied to take place within this timeline. Throughout the remainder of this study, we will examine each event YHWH foretold would happen in the 1260 day period.
1260 Days - A Time of Extreme Persecution for YHWH's People
As we have already mentioned, God's people will be "under fire" for the full 2300 days, but the final 1260 days of this will be a period of extreme persecution. "Power was given unto him (the demonic beast) to continue forty and two months." And, says the prophet, "I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death." And again: "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword." The forty and two months are the same as the "time and times and the dividing of time," three years and a half, or 1260 days, of Daniel 7, the time during which the papal power was to oppress God's people.” (Great Controversy, p 440)
Daniel 7:25 says, “And he (the little horn) 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.” In the Amplified Bible, Daniel 7:25 reads, “And he shall speak words against the Most High God and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change the time of sacred feasts and holy days and the law; and the saints shall be given into his hand for a time, two times, and half a time (three and one-half years).”
The reference to "wearing out the saints" refers to persecuting them so severely that they are brought to the point of exhaustion, suffering and death. This will reach such a level that there will be more martyrs than survivors. Those who endure this time and remain loyal to YHWH will be living by Paul's words, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21.
The Bible doesn't pull any punches in warning us about this period. It tells us truly that this will be a time of trouble without precident. In other words, there are no historical reference points to look at to help us grasp the depths of it. Even the terrible period of the holocaust will hold no candle to this final time. As it says in Revelation 12:1 “...And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time Thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” When we read about how there has never been such a time of trouble as this will be, it is most comforting to read on and find that God's people will be delivered! This doesn't always mean that they will survive it physically. But, those who will choose to lose their lives rather than betray God will have an eternal reward that no one can take from them. This is true salvation!
While there are no true historical comparisons to this final time of trouble, there are shadow pictures from history that we can look at to gain some deeper understanding. To find this, we need to view the original rise of the little horn. Once the papal power had risen to global dominance in pre-medieval times, its next act was to begin persecuting those who still followed God's Law over the papal teachings. This period, historical known as the Inquisition, lasted 1260 years. Thus, in the first application, the 1260 day prophecy was played out in prophetic time (which is one day = one year).
During this time, as historical sources like Fox's Book of Martyrs chronicle, there were numerous martyrs. They were burned at the stake, beheaded, torn limb from limb on implements of torture like the rack, and were destroyed in many other ways as well. Those who followed YHWH and refused to accept the little horn's (papal power's) changes to God's holy days and His Law (Daniel 7:25) were part of a hated sect. Some were called Waldensees, some Hugenots, etc. These brave folks memorized whole books of the Bible and sewed hand-written copies of the Scriptures into their clothes in order to preserve God's Word during a time when the little horn power was burning all the Bibles they could find.
Our purpose here isn't to do an in-depth study into what took place during this time period. Rather, we are seeking shadow pictures which we can expect to be played out in the final fulfillment of the 1260 days. Thankfully, the final period of extreme persecution will last 1260 literal days - not 1260 prophetic days (years)! But, during this period of persecution, we see God's people experiencing trouble in phases. And this is the point we need to take note of for the final 1260 days. At the beginning of the Inquisition, houses and lands were taken from the "heretics." They were told what they could and could not say in their churches and meetings. At this initial onset of persecution, many fled from the populated areas and relocated up in the mountainous retreats like the high valleys of the Swiss Alps.
There the loyal people of God grew their own food and lived off the land. They would then send missionaries down from their mountain homes to share the Scriptures with the townsfolk. This was done at great personal risk. One never knew if the next door they knocked on would be opened by a seeker of truth who could be blessed by hearing the forbidden Word of God or by a "rat" who would report the missionary to the papal power. But, in this initial phase of persecution, God's people fled the cities and moved into the mountains where they still lived in houses and grew gardens in quiet wilderness retreats. This was persecution phase 1.
In the final phase of persecution, we find God's people being attacked even in their wilderness retreats. At this point, they were often forces to flee to the caves and find other such primitive hideouts to survive the final onslaught. This same concept of persecution being played out in phases can be expected to occur in the final 1260 day time of trouble. We will expect to start out by leaving the cities and pursing growing our food and finding shelter in wilderness homes. Then the day will come when we will be seeking refuge in caves, as it says in Hebrews 11. In fact, Hebrews 11:33-38 is a powerful prophecy pointing to this 1260 day period. It says that God's true followers will be the ones "who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth."
Considering that the time of trouble will again take place in phases, it makes sense that we see a differentiation between the first portion of the 2300 days and the final 1260 days of extreme persecution. And in the beginning, we like the Waldensees of old, will need to live off the land with gardens. While in the final 1260 we will have to be provided for like Elijah in the wilderness, as there will be no way to provide for our needs without the mercy and aid of God. The following are a few quotations along this line:
“...It is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I saw that if the saints had food laid up by them, or in the fields, in the time of trouble, when sword, famine and pestilence are in the land, it would be taken from them by violent hands, and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water would be sure at that time, and we should not lack or suffer hunger; for God was able to spread a table for us in the wilderness. And if necessary, He would send ravens to feed us as he did to feed Elijah, or rain manna from heaven, as He did for the Israelites.” Experience and Views, p. 44.
“...Houses and lands would be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they would then have to flee from their possessions, before infuriated mobs, and at that time they could not be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth. I was shown that it was the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God by sacrifice. If they have their property on the altar, and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble, and have no clogs to weigh them down.” Experience and Views, p 45
But, at the early phases of the time of trouble (at the beginning of the 2300 days) it will not be possible to buy or sell (Revelation 13:16-17) without receiving the mark of the beast. During this time, those who do as the early Waldensees and develop wilderness homes and gardens will be blessed and enabled to bless others.
Scattering the Power of the Holy People
Some may wonder, why does our all-powerful God allow His people to be so severely persecuted? This brings us to the second event we are told will take place during the 1260 days. During this time of extreme persecution, God will "scatter the power of the Holy People." As it says in Daniel 12:7 “And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by Him that liveth 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.”
So YHWH is up to something in all this persecution! It says that He is the One Who is accomplishing the scattering of the power of His holy people! What does this mean? To answer this, we need to look up the original Hebrew words for each of these terms, and get the fuller picture.
The term “Scatter” (Strong's Concordance #5310) is from the Hebrew word naphats (naw-fats) which means “to dash to pieces, or scatter: - be beaten in sunder, break (in pieces), broken, dash (in pieces), cause to be discharged, dispersed, be overspread...”
“Power” (Strong's Concordance #3207) is translated from the Hebrew word ya'd (yawd), meaning “…fellowship, force… labour… ministry… power… service…”
So putting these terms together will all the nuances of their meaning we find that God is going to allow troubles to come upon His people to scatter and disperse them so that their ministry, force, and labor will be overspread upon the whole earth! And that's exactly what He said He would do in Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
This goes along with a powerful promise in Romans 8:28 which says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." In other words, even in the time of the worst trouble ever to hit planet earth, God is up to something GOOD! He will be using the persecution to refine His people's characters (like gold tried in the fire - Revelation 3:18) and He will be using it to cause the final Gospel call to reach the whole world! Isn't it comforting to know that we serve a God Who lets nothing touch His people that isn't for good in some way?! And that's not all, there's more good news for this trying time...
YHWH’s People are Protected in the Wilderness
During the 1260 days of extreme persecution, YHWH will be the Provider and Protector of His people. Revelation 12:13-14 says, “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman… And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”
The woman, who represents God's people - His last day Bride, is to be nourished in the wilderness for the three and a half years. There she finds shelter from the wrath of the Eden snake (Satan)! This is reiterated in Revelation 12:6. “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” Thus, we see that YHWH will be filtering everything that hits us during this time. He will provide for us and sustain us. And when suffering comes to us, it has been previously filtered by our loving Heavenly Father. He only allows things to hit us if He has first deemed them "good" for advancing the Gospel or for perfecting our characters.
Then, just as God sustained Elijah for 3 1/2 years during the time of no rain in Bible times, so He will sustain His followers in this final fulfillment of the 3 1/3 year time of trouble. Again, insight is gained by looking at a past shadow picture of this time. But, in addition to this wonderful and miraculous protection we will experience from YHWH, there is another mighty work He will be accomplishing during this dynamic timeline. It is the work of judgment.
Judgment Begins at the House of YHWH… - The Time of The Sealing
One of the foretold events which will take place during the 1260 day timeline is the "measuring of God's temple." Revelation 11:1-2 states, “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” Here we find the timeline mentioned (as 42 months - 42X30 days in a biblical month = 1260 days). And this 1260 day period is listed as a time when God will be doing some measuring.
The prophet Zechariah also foretold that YHWH would be measuring Jerusalem. As it says in Zechariah 2:1-2 “I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.” This is a reference to the same event John mentions in Revelation 11. But how can we be certain who or what is being measured? Zechariah calls it Jerusalem. But why does our holy and omnipotent God need to measure a city in the middle east? The Bible says He knows how many hairs are on our heads (Matthew 10:30). So He surely knows the dimensions of the city of Jerusalem!
Jerusalem in prophecy, is often not a reference to a literal city, rather it is a symbol of God's people. In Zechariah 3:2, we find plainly that Jerusalem is referring to YHWH's people. “And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” Here God calls Jerusalem "a brand plucked out of the fire." Yet the Bible tells us that every city and part of earth will one day burn in the cleansing Heavenly fire that will consume sin. (See Psalm 21:9, Micah 5:14, Malachi 4:1, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:9-15 and Revelation 21:8). In fact, the whole earth will be destroyed - which certainly includes the literal city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is going to be replaced, with a new, sin-free Jerusalem. As it says in Revelation 21:1-2 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven..." There need be no "new Jerusalem" unless the old Jerusalem is going to be destroyed. Thus, when God says in Zechariah 3:2 that Jerusalem is a "brand plucked from the fire," He is obviously referring to His saved people, not to the city itself.
Not only is Jerusalem used in Scripture as a symbol of the saved children of God, it is also a symbol of the self-proclaimed followers of YHWH. As is says in Matthew 23:34-38 “Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and… ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city… Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Once again, a literal city cannot kill the prophets. It is people who do the murders. Thus, Jerusalem, in prophecy refers to God's real or professed followers.
With this in mind, let's return to Zechariah's third vision found in Zechariah 2:1-2 “I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.” We have found that what is being measured in this vision is YHWH's "church." But, what about this group is God measuring?
The original Hebrew word translated in Zechariah 2 as "measuring" (Strong's Concordance #4060) means “measure stature, measure a garment (vesture, rainment)”. This tells us exactly what about God's people is being measured in this examination process. Our spiritual clothing is being measured.
In Isaiah 64:6 it says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Then in Job 29:14 we find, “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me...” Finally, in Isaiah 61:10 we find, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness…” What is being measured is our spiritual attire. If we are found wearing our own righteousness, we will be found wanting in this Heavenly measuring. But, if we put on the righteousness of Yeshua, we will be saved.
But wait a minute! The vision is about God measuring Jerusalem, which we just said was those who profess to follow Him. These are people who attend Bible studies, sing, have been baptized and do all the outward things that "church" people do. And since the robe of righteousness is Christ's robe, don't all professing, baptized Christians wear it automatically? In other words, why does God need to "measure" such a group? Aren't they His by having laid claim to the merits of Christ alone?
We live in an era of "cheap grace." Most Christians are being told that they only need to believe in Jesus and that will save them. But while truly believing in the Saviour DOES save the sinner initially, true belief is demonstrated by accompanying actions in the changed life that must follow. After all, as it says in James 2:19-20, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" The demons believe in God! But are they saved by this belief? No! You see, belief isn't real faith unless it comes with works! We are called to not only be forgiven from our past sins, but to walk free of them in the grace and power of Christ for the future.
Consider 1 John 3:7-9. "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin (breaks God's Law - 1 John 3:4) is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
The reason YHWH needs to measure His professed people is that while all of them have started out by laying claim to the blood of Yeshua, only some of them have also claimed His power to resist temptation and overcome their sinful tendencies! And in Revelation 3:5 it tells us that only those who overcome will still be found wearing Christ's righteous robe! “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”
While Zechariah makes it plain that Jerusalem is being measured, and we have seen that Jerusalem represents God's professed followers, it also bears notice that there is progression through what appears to be a series of sub-groups of Jerusalem who are being measured in a certain order. As it says in Revelation 11:1-2 “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.”
So adding in the details from Revelation 11, we find that YHWH's house and its contents are first measured (the temple and its altar), then those that worship there are measured and the Gentiles are left out of any measurement at this time. This same teaching that there is progression of judgment is reiterated in 1 Peter 4:17, which says, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…”. This progression bears further study, but for now, we will simply note that the order of judgment is first the organized house of God. Then those who worship there and the judgment of the Gentiles (Gentiles is a term merely meaning worldly, lost, heathen). The judgment advances in the order of who has the most light (truth).
The next point we need to understand is the identity of the measuring line of Zechariah 2:1-2. By what are we measured? 2 Corinthians 10:12-13 explains, "For we dare not… compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But… according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us…” Here we see that we will be measured by God's rule. But what is YHWH's rule?
In James 2:10-12, God's rule is plainly defined. “For whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the Law of liberty.” What are we judged by? God's holy Law, here called His Law of liberty. Wait a minute! Isn't Christian liberty about NOT having to keep God's Law? In our nation, how do we maintain our freedom? Is it by breaking the law of the land, or by keeping its laws? Naturally, we all understand that we cannot remain free in a society unless we obey the laws of that society. In the same way, God's Law is called the Law of liberty, because in Christ's power we are to keep it and thereby find true spiritual freedom.
As one writer put it, “While we are to be in harmony with God's Law, we are not saved by the works of the Law, yet we cannot be saved without obedience. The law is the standard by which character is measured. But we cannot possibly keep the commandments of God without the regenerating grace of Christ. Jesus alone can cleanse us from all sin. He does not save us by Law, neither will He save us in disobedience to law.” Faith that Works, p. 95
"No way!" most Christians will protest. "You don't have to keep the Law! It was nailed to the Cross!" Just for a moment, let's really give that teaching some serious consideration. For fun (although we truly suggest you never do this for real) let's have an interview with a non- existant person (giving all the standard answers) whom we'll call "Susie Christian."
Interviewer: "Hello, Susie, thank you for agreeing to speak to us today about the common Christian viewpoint on God's Law."
Susie: "Hi. Yeah, no problem. I know what Christianity teaches about it."
Interviewer: "Great! So, then... tell us, what DOES Christianity teach about the Law of God?"
Susie: "The Law is a good list of things we are supposed to do, but because we all have sinful natures, we couldn't obey it."
Interviewer: "Well, if we're supposed to do it, but cannot, doesn't that put us into a bit of a pickle, so-to-speak?"
Susie: "Sure! Like, we were all going to have to die eternally. But, Jesus came to earth and lived here as a perfect Man. Then He died and took our death. So, He paid the price for our breaking the Law, so we don't have to."
Interviewer: "That's good news! But, what happened to the Law at that point?"
Susie: "Well, the Law was nailed to the Cross of Jesus. So we don't have to keep it anymore."
Interviewer: "Okay. Just so I'm sure I am understanding clearly, you're saying that the Law was done away with at the Cross and that Christian behavior after the Cross no longer includes obedience to God's Law?"
Susie: "Yeah, I guess so. I'm just saying you don't have to keep it after the Cross."
Interviewer: "Just for clarity, would you mind if I got really specific about the Law of God?"
Susie: "I guess not."
Interviewer: "The first of the Ten Commandments in God's Law says that we aren't supposed to have any other gods we put before YHWH. So now that Christ has died, is it good Christian behavior to put anything above God?"
Susie: "Well, no, but..."
Interviewer: "What about the sixth Commandment which says Thou shalt not kill? Are we supposed to commit murder as part of good Christian behavior after Calvary?"
Susie: "Certainly not!"
Interviewer: "But, Susie, you just said the Law was nailed to the Cross. And if that is so, then we aren't to be doing any of it anymore. Now, what about honoring our parents as it says to do in the fifth Commandment. would you say that is an important one to obey in a Christian's life after Calvary?"
Susie: (Getting a bit perturbed)"Well, yes!"
Interviewer: "Are there any other parts of the Law that it is good Christian behavior to obey after the Cross?"
Susie: "You're still supposed to not steal or lie, and it's wrong to covet and commit adultery."
Interviewer: "So when you tell me that the Law was nailed to the Cross, you don't really mean that the whole Law was nailed and done away with, do you? Obviously there are at least parts of it that Christians still quietly believe they ought to obey. So, tell me, in all honesty, which parts of the Law are really being nailed?"
Susie: "Well, most churches don't keep the Seventh-day Sabbath anymore. And some Christian churches believe that worshipping images is okay."
Interviewer: "It seems to me that in order to get rid of 1 or 2 Commandments, the entire Law is being nailed to the Cross. I think maybe there might be some serious deception and maybe even some underlying hypocrisy in this teaching. After all, we can't really believe that you keep some parts of the Law, like 80%, and nail other parts. If the Law was truly done away with, then none of it should apply to Christianity after the Cross."
This whole teaching is a terrible misunderstanding of Colossians 2:14. And the fruit of it is that many Christians have justified getting rid of part of the measuring line. But, if we are going to be measured against the Law of God someday, (in fact as we've noted in this study, this measuring takes place during the final 1260 days) is it wise to "do away" with the ruler which will soon be held against your soul?
Returning to Revelation 11:1-2 which tells us that the 42 months (or 1260 days) is a time of measurement/judgment for the house of God (the Gentiles will be judged later), there is one more point which needs to be clarified. At the outset it seems an obvious question, but the answer may surprise you. The question? What is the Law of God? Most Christians believe that God's Law is Exodus 20:3-17, or Deuteronomy 5. In other words, the Law of God is the Ten Commandments! Right?! well, actually, while the Ten Commandments are PART of the Law, they are not the totality. This is clearly taught by just looking at the word Law in the Bible.
“Law of YHWH” is translated from the original Hebrew word Torah (to-raw), meaning: “A precept, or statute, especially the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments), or Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) - Law” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, #8451). In other words, when the Bible writers spoke of the Law of God, they meant the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Books of Moses (because he penned these books, having gotten the Commandments and Statutes from YHWH on Sinai). Thus, by Bible definition, the following is the total Law of God:
The Law of YHWH actually has four parts. They are: the Commandments (the Ten), the Statutes (613 commands which fall into the Ten Commandment categories), the judgments (the blessings or cursings based upon our obedience to Torah or disobedience) and the testimony (stories of those who have been faithful to YHWH or not). David Was Listing the Parts of the Law in Psalm 19:7-9! "The Law (Hebrew word Torah) of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes... The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether."
According to David, The LAW of the Lord is perfect
- and it's a necessary catalyst in the conversion process (which is something Christians certainly need even after the Cross!)
The STATUTES of the Lord are right
– and they bring joy to the hearts of those who keep them (which is also something Christians need, post-Calvary!)
The COMMANDMENT of the Lord is pure
– bringing us enlightenment (which is definately still a need!)
When Yeshua was asked what the most important part of the Law was, He didn't even list one of the Ten Commandments! Actually, He listed two of the 613 statutes! Then He said that all the Law was suspended, like a great chain, on these two statutes. As is recorded in Matthew 22:35-40 "Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (He was quoting a Torah statute found in Deuteronomy 6:5.) This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Christ was quoting another statute from Torah found in Leviticus 19:18). On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets." It is kind of like a big Torah chain. The two great commandments (statutes) are at the top, as overall category headings. Then the Ten Commandments are like the chapter titles under the two greats. Finally all 613 statutes are the fine print under the categories of the Ten Commandments. To give a small sample of how this works, consider the following two diagrams. If you would like more information about Torah and desire to know all 613 statutes and how they apply today, please contact us. We have a variety of DVD's and printed materials on this subject, including an 11-part DVD series titled: The Torah Series (which covers ALL of the Torah in 11 DVD's).
Having discovered that the measuring line is the Law of God, having fully defined the Law as the first five books of the Bible, then having shown that it is the people who profess to follow God who are being measured; we find that probation is closing for the professed people of God during the final 1260 day period. And this is certainly another noteworthy event taking place during this dynamic timeframe. But not only is God up to some big and wonderful things during this time period. The devil will also be very busy. For when the 1260 day timeline comes to an end, the false kingdom will completely crumble. Thus, in our next study, we will thoroughly examine the reign of the beast and the two witnesses who refute his false claims in a spiritual showdown far greater even than Elijah vs the followers of Baal on Mount Carmel long ago.