In the middle of the book we see a time period that recurs, phrased in different ways: “forty-two months” (11:2; 13:5); “twelve hundred and sixty days” (11:3; 12:6); “time, times, and half a time” (12:14). These time periods are figurative, not literal.895 They all stem from or are variants of times stated in Dan 7:25; 9:27; 12:7, 11–12. The time references in Daniel originally applied to the three and a half years of Antiochus Epiphanes’s depredations against Israel until the success of the Maccabean revolt. In typical prophetic fashion, however, the inter-testamental Jewish writings took this time period to signify “a general time of trial for believers, as a time associated with Israel’s Babylonian captivity, or as the period that must pass before Israel’s final redemption.”896 John is taking that three-and-a-half year time period in its archetypal sense of a time of severe testing until God gives his people final relief and is applying it to the church. Rev 12:5–6 shows that this period of testing began at Christ’s resurrection and ascension. It will end with his return in glory at the parousia.897 There is more to the “three and a half years” than simply an undetermined length of time that extends from Christ’s ascension until the parousia. That is seen in how John has structured the time periods. The time of the Gentiles trampling the “holy city” (11:2) = the time of prophesying of the “two witnesses” (11:3) = the time the “woman” is in the wilderness (12:14). The “forty-two months” (11:2; 13:5), “twelve hundred and sixty days” (11:3; 12:6), and “time, times, and half a time” (12:14) are all different ways of referring to the same period, but the different ways of phrasing this time period indicate different perspectives or theological emphases. In their order of appearance and significance, they are arranged chiastically: the “forty-two months” focus on the church’s enemies and their aggression against the church; whereas the “twelve hundred and sixty days” and “time, times, and half a time” focus on the church’s witness and protection by God, as follows: 898 A. 42 months: The “holy city” is trampled by the nations (Rev 11:1–2). B. 1260 days: The “two witnesses” prophesy and cannot be harmed (Rev 11:3–6). B’. 1260 days [as expanded by “time, times, and half a time”]: The “woman” is nourished and protected in the wilderness (Rev 12:6, 13–16). A’. 42 months: The “beast” blasphemes and makes war against the “saints” (Rev 13:5). Suffering and safety, trial and testimony, alienation and nourishment are all bound up in these descriptions of the time of testing of the church.899 Through it all, these descriptions also demonstrate God’s sovereigny over the church, Satan, suffering, and evil.
Menn, Jonathan. Biblical Eschatology . Resource Publications - An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers. Kindle Edition.