3.5 time units – Biblical period – Type and antitype prophecy

Deutsch

The number or unit of 3.5 is encountered frequently in the Bible. Even extra-biblical, quite relevant events lasted 3.5 literal years. In prophecy, it is even possible for time references to be viewed as both types and antitypes.

Examples period of 3.5 “units”

Interestingly, the time unit 3.5 occurs frequently in the Bible. This applies both to prophetic predictions and to the duration of various conditions. Depending on the context, the 3.5 “units” are given either as years or days, as well as “times,” and are interpreted differently accordingly. For example, 3.5 days are generally interpreted prophetically, while 3.5 years also means literal years. However, this depends on the context.

Important events in which 3.5 “units” played a role include:

• Jesus Christ was active for 3.5 literal years.
• 3.5 literal years after Jesus Christ, Stephen was stoned, and since then the gospel has also gone to the Gentiles.
• 3.5 literal years of dryness, which the prophet Elijah prayed for (1 Kings 17 & 18, James 5:17).
• 3.5 literal years of the period between the 1st and 2nd Siege of Jerusalem (67 and 70 AD).
• 3.5 literal years of the Bar Kochbar Revolt (132 to 136 AD) lasted.
• 3.5 prophetic days: the bodies of the two witnesses will lie in the street (Revelation 11:9).
• 3.5 prophetic times (“1 time, 2 times, and half a time”): the work of the beast (Revelation 12:14; Daniel 12:7)

And as luck would have it, the “coronavirus pandemic” also lasted 3.5 years, with the first case on December 31, 2019, until the WHO lifted the pandemic declaration on May 5, 2023.

Indirect 3.5 time units

In addition to the direct reference to 3.5 units, there are additional prophetic time references in the form of 1260 days and 42 months, which, when calculated literally in years, also result in 3.5 years (Info). Including periods of 7 years (= 2 x 3.5 years) or a multiple thereof would result in further references to a multiple of the period of 3.5 “units” (Info).

Particularly interesting for our time is the interpretation of a kind of double interpretation of prophetic predictions, which contain the 3.5 units in various forms, which is certainly worth considering. Type and antitype, while the type contains the prophetic interpretation of days in years, and the antitype could be considered literal. Here, especially in Revelation 10, there are two striking statements made at a time when the 6th trumpet is already being heard.

In connection with the announcement of the events of the 7th trumpet, the following reference is made:
“that there should be time no longer:” (Revelation 10:6)

John is also instructed to prophesy again:
“Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” (Revelation 10:11)

Possible Type-Antitype Constellation

Given this background of renewed prophecy and “there will be no more time,” the following constellations could be possible:

Revelation 11:

Type – The Gentiles will trample the holy city, for 42 months prophetically (1260 years – 538 to 1798).
Antitype – The true gospel will be suppressed after the activation of the mark of the beast for 42 literal months (= 3.5 years)

Type – Two witnesses will prophesy for 1260 days (1260 years – 538 to 1798). The Gospel will be preached under the persecution and tyranny of the Roman Catholic Church and its practiced paganism.
Antitype – Proclamation of the gospel after activation of the Sunday law for literal 1260 days (= 3.5 years) under the pressure of persecution.

Revelation 13:

Type -The beast’s work for 42 months prophetically (1260 years – 538 to 1798)
Antitype – After the wound is healed, the restoration of power for a literal 42 months (= 3.5 years). The short tribulation period, after the activation of the Sunday law (mark of the beast – info), in which those who disregard the Sunday law and instead observe God’s law and keep the Sabbath will be persecuted..

Revelation 12:

Type – The persecuted woman fled into the desert for 1260 days (1260 years – 538 to 1798).
Antitype – After the Sunday law is activated, the faithful of the gospel are also forced to flee to lonely areas for 1260 literal days (= 3.5 years).

Daniel 12:

Type – The “monstrous conditions” will end after a time, two times, half a time (1260 years – 538 to 1798).
Antitype – The final persecution after the last “abomination of desolation” lasts 1260 days (= 3.5 years).

Not unlikely variant

The final time reference of 1290 days in verse 11 could therefore also literally apply to the end times. 30 days pass between the adoption of the Sunday law and its activation. Alternatively, it could take 30 days until the Sunday law, first introduced in the USA, is also implemented worldwide. This is followed by 1260 literal days (= 3.5 years) of persecution. This is followed by the gradual destruction of Babylon within 45 days (each “1 hour” tripled, i.e., 3 x 15 days, Revelation 18). This would then be the 1335 days described in Daniel 12. At this point, the time of grace also ends, and a rapid onset of the seven last plagues (why wait any longer?) can be expected.

The time unit 3.5 certainly carries weight and also plays a role in the final events of this world. Whether the type-antitype interpretation of the prophecy will come to pass is uncertain, but it would nevertheless be very likely. What is certain is that the 3.5 years will become visible as a time period in some form.

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)