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The Length of the 1,260 Years of Persecution
The persecution of Christians endured for centuries, spanning the 1,260 years foretold in John’s vision. During this time, countless believers gave their lives for Christ, refusing to renounce their faith. The horrors they faced are beyond words. As I noted earlier, James, the brother of John,, was the first to die by the sword. His death scattered the disciples, who fled in fear of being hunted down. Though Peter and others escaped for a time, they were eventually captured and killed. Peter himself, when taken again, requested to be crucified upside down, declaring he was unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. Stephen was stoned to death, and multitudes were thrown into lions’ dens, burned alive, or crucified. Even Paul—once known as Saul—began as a persecutor, zealously hunting Christians, before his conversion led him to suffer beatings and hardships for the gospel he once opposed.
Why such hatred? It was born of Satan’s fury. Cursed by God, he became the old dragon, leading his fallen angels in rebellion. His time is short, and his rage fierce, driving persecution against all who follow Christ.
Yet through all this suffering, the church did not die. The blood of the martyrs became the seed of faith, and Christianity spread even in the face of unimaginable cruelty. God’s promise was fulfilled: the woman, symbolizing His church, was cared for in the wilderness. Though oppressed, the church was preserved. God will never abandon His true followers. When He gives warnings to flee, believers must heed them. As Scripture declares: “He who goes into captivity, into captivity they go. He who dies by the sword, will die by the sword.” Delay is dangerous, for it is easier to be caught than to escape.
So, when did this persecution end? History shows that the fiercest waves began in the first century and continued under the Roman Empire’s hostility toward Christians. Later, persecution took new forms—sometimes through governments, sometimes through corrupt religious institutions. Many interpreters understand the prophetic 1,260 years as symbolizing this long age of oppression, stretching from the martyrdoms of James and Stephen through centuries of trials, until the church entered a new season of freedom and recognition.
The end of this period did not mean the end of trials altogether. Rather, it marked the close of an era in which Christianity was relentlessly hunted, silenced, and driven underground. God’s Word had promised that the woman would be sustained, and indeed, the church survived. The gospel spread far beyond Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, just as Jesus foretold.
This history reminds us that persecution, though devastating, cannot destroy the truth. The vision of the 1,260 years stands as a testimony of God’s faithfulness: He preserves His people even in the darkest times. And just as the early church endured, so must believers today remain steadfast, knowing that trials will come, but God’s care never fails.
The vision shown to John makes it clear that the woman was cared for in the wilderness. He further wrote:
“The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times, and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” (Revelation 12:14–17)
This passage symbolizes that, despite the fierce and bitter persecution of Christians, the faith of God’s people did not diminish or die—it continued to grow into the Christian church. The woman represents the church, cared for by God. The wilderness serves as a symbol of refuge, while the earth represents the means by which God provided escape routes and protection. Those who listened to His warnings found safety in mountains, caves, and forests. Thousands of believers were able to flee and hide. Some even excavated and built underground catacombs, which became secret places of refuge during times of invasion and persecution. These catacombs can still be seen beneath the city of Rome today.
The persecution of Christians coincided with the decline of Rome. In 410, the Western Empire was shaken when the Visigoths, a wandering Germanic people from the northeast, sacked and devastated the city. The fall of the West was completed in 476, when the German chieftain Odoacer deposed Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman emperor of the West. Yet the Eastern Empire, wealthier and stronger, endured as the Byzantine Empire throughout the Middle Ages. Rome could not extinguish Christianity, even as believers were burned, executed by the sword, or thrown to lions. Remarkably, some Roman officials themselves converted after witnessing undeniable miracles.
After the collapse of the Western Empire, Constantine (reigning 312–337) sought to restore unity. His efforts seemed unsuccessful until his mother, Helena, secretly embraced Christianity and counseled him in God’s truth. Her influence was modest, but before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine reportedly saw a vision of a great light in the sky—a cross accompanied by the words, “In this sign, conquer.” This experience led to his conversion, though many Christians questioned its sincerity, suspecting it was politically motivated to rally Christian soldiers against Rome’s enemies.
Nevertheless, Constantine’s conversion brought significant and lasting change. In 313, he issued the Edict of Milan, which legalized Christianity and elevated it to a state-supported religion. To bring an end to persecution, certain compromises were introduced—such as the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, adjustments to the liturgical year, and the shifting of the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. Constantine became the patron of the Christian church, and after his baptism by an Arian bishop, he oversaw the establishment of a unified Christian faith, later known as the Roman Catholic Church. For a time, persecution eased, fulfilling God’s promise that His people would be cared for. Yet this peace was temporary, as the newly established church grew powerful and began to dominate religious life.
This development reflects the vision in Revelation, where the woman was helped by the earth, which swallowed the river the dragon had spewed from his mouth. The offspring of the woman represent Christians who held firmly to the truth despite relentless persecution. They continued to spread the gospel of Jesus without fear of death, seeing martyrdom not as defeat but as a reward. For those who loved God sincerely, death was embraced with hope, for Christ’s incomparable promise is eternal life—life renewed in youth and free from decay.
Some Christians, faithful to the truth, questioned the merging of Christianity with Rome’s political ideology, which gave birth to Catholicism. Others disagreed, and this led to a great divide in beliefs. I will pause here, as I must share in the next section what God has taught me and revealed to John in the book of Revelation. Please continue reading in Part Six.
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As we continue exploring this revelation, it is important to pause and reflect on the one through whom God chose to unveil these mysteries of the future, John. Some readers may not fully understand who John was, so let us briefly revisit his story and the reason he was entrusted with such visions.
John was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, the youngest among them, likely still in his late teens when he was called. His older brother was James, and together they worked as fishermen with their father, Zebedee. Scripture tells us that Jesus saw them in a boat, mending their nets. At His call, they immediately left their father and the men working with him, choosing instead to follow Christ. This act of obedience marked the beginning of John’s journey as a disciple and later as the one who would receive the Revelation.
Years later, while in exile on the island of Patmos, John was given visions that revealed the mysteries of God’s plan for the future. Among these visions, he wrote of a striking image: “The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.” This passage reminds us that God not only reveals the coming trials but also shows His provision and care for those who remain faithful.
Before John’s exile, however, he recorded another powerful moment in his Gospel. After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee. John writes: “Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ‘I’m going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’ So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” (John 21:3).
It was in these post-resurrection appearances that Jesus gave His final instructions. With the eleven disciples (for Judas Iscariot had betrayed Him and perished), Jesus ate with them and commanded: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” This was the sealing of their anointing, the empowerment to become His emissaries and spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Before ascending into heaven, the disciples asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus replied: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Then, before their very eyes, He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.
After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples began their full ministry. They often traveled in pairs or groups of three, proclaiming the good news. John frequently partnered with his brother James and with Peter, forming a strong team of witnesses.
Now, returning to the vision given to John on Patmos, God mentioned the 1,260 days. What do these days represent? Our current year is 365 days, so is this a literal number of days, or does it symbolize something greater? John was shown that the woman would be cared for during this time, preserved by God’s hand. The question remains, when will this happen, and how will it unfold?
As we ponder this vision, let us remember: God’s Word is not given to satisfy curiosity about dates, but to strengthen faith, encourage perseverance, and remind us of His sovereignty. Just as John was faithful to record what he saw, we too must be faithful to read, pray, and live according to God’s Word.
The 1,260 Days in Prophecy
This mystery invites us to reflect deeply. Numbers in Scripture often carry symbolic meaning, pointing to seasons of trial, testing, or divine protection. The 1,260 days remind us that God sets boundaries on suffering and persecution. He determines the times and seasons, and He provides refuge for His people even in the wilderness.
In Scripture, God explains that “with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8). This principle helps us understand the vision that speaks of the woman being cared for in the wilderness for 1,260 days. In God’s timing, these days represent 1,260 years.
The vision does not refer to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as in the earlier interpretation of the woman giving birth to the Messiah. Instead, God revealed that the woman symbolizes His church. Which church? The church of Christianity—the body of believers who follow Christ. Christianity is the true church of Jesus, for it was established by Him, the Messiah, the Son of God whom the Father sent to save mankind from sin.
This prophecy of the woman being cared for during 1,260 days (or years) has already been fulfilled in history. After Jesus ascended into heaven, His disciples began their ministry, spreading the gospel throughout the world. Yet at the same time, Satan began his work to oppose and corrupt God’s mission. The words “taken care of in the wilderness” signify that Christianity was divinely protected during a long season of persecution.
The 1,260 years are understood to have begun after the death of James, the brother of John—the very disciple who later received the Revelation. This pivotal moment is recorded in Acts 12, where the apostle Paul describes the beginning of persecution against the church:
“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.”
The church prayed earnestly for Peter, and God answered. Scripture continues:
“The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”
This miraculous deliverance shows that even in the midst of persecution, God’s hand was upon His people. The vision of the woman in the wilderness for 1,260 years reminds us that the church, though attacked and oppressed, was never abandoned. God preserved His truth, sustained His followers, and ensured that the gospel continued to spread.
The woman clothed in white also symbolizes the pure church, the true Christians and faithful followers of Jesus, who willingly gave their lives for God’s cause. They faced death without fear, whether by beheading, being burned alive, being torn apart by lions, or being cut into pieces. History gives us a vivid example in Emperor Nero, born December 15, 37 CE in Antium, Latium, and ruling as Rome’s fifth emperor until his death on June 9, 68 CE. Nero became infamous for his brutality. To illuminate the city of Rome during his feasts with royal guests, he tied Christian martyrs to posts and set them ablaze, using their bodies as torches. Regardless of age—children, women, the elderly—none were spared. Yet even as they screamed in agony, many sang hymns to Jesus while dying in the flames, bearing witness to their unshakable faith.
Nero’s cruelty and debauchery made him notorious, not only for the burning of Rome but also for his merciless persecution of Christians. Such accounts force us to ask: as believers today, could we stand firm under such a test? Jesus reminds us, “Take up your cross daily and follow me.” The question remains, are we willing to do what He says?
Let us now continue to Part Five of these writings, where I will reveal how the 1,260 years of persecution came to an end—the closing of a long season of Christian agony. This is the vision given to John when the angel handed him the little scroll and commanded him to eat it. John was told that it would taste sweet like honey, yet turn bitter once consumed. Indeed, he ate the scroll, and it made his stomach sick.
The meaning is profound: the scroll represents the Holy Scriptures, the very Word of God. To hear and embrace God’s Word is sweet, filling the soul with joy and hope. Yet, to follow Jesus Christ faithfully brings with it the “bitter trials” He Himself foretold. The sweetness of His promises is often followed by the bitterness of suffering—beheadings, burning in fire, being torn apart by lions, or slain by the sword.
So, I ask you: are you still willing to be a Christian? Jesus declared that the road to God’s kingdom is a narrow path, not an easy one. It is more like an obstacle course, where one must walk across a narrow wooden bridge suspended high above a raging river filled with jagged rocks and hungry crocodiles, striving to reach the other side. Such is the journey of faith—fraught with danger, yet leading to eternal life.
If you are reading this message at random, I urge you to go back and read from the beginning. Without following the first part through to the last, my explanation of Revelation may seem confusing. Each section builds upon the other, and only by walking through the whole journey will the meaning become clear.
Pray earnestly as you read these truths, for the path is narrow, but the reward is everlasting.
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When you hear and read God’s Word and are touched by the Holy Spirit, your eyes are opened to your own sinfulness. You recognize your need for mercy and choose to follow Him. But how do we follow Jesus, who is holy? He Himself said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Choosing to follow Christ means turning away from a sinful life. For many, this decision leads to baptism. Baptism—by full immersion in water, not merely sprinkling—is a vital step of obedience. Jesus made it clear: to accept Him as Lord, you must repent, surrender your sin, and be baptized both by water and by the Holy Spirit. This is required of all who are able, except in cases where illness or circumstances prevent it. God, in His mercy, makes allowances for those who are bedridden or near death, but procrastination is dangerous. Waiting until the last moment may leave you unable to repent or ask forgiveness.
Jesus warned that the devil and his angels are constantly working to draw souls into darkness. Sadly, many die without repentance. His words are sobering: “Repent, or perish.” Once death comes, a person’s fate is sealed—there is no second chance. This truth is not meant to frighten, but to awaken us to the urgency of genuine repentance.
True repentance is more than words spoken with the lips; it must come from the heart. It requires a willful change of life and abandoning the old self. If you have stolen, you must confess and turn away from theft. If you have lived in adultery, you must forsake lust and remain faithful. If your mouth has been filled with profanity, you must stop speaking corrupt words and instead speak what is good. Lies must be rejected, and you must not side with those who spread falsehoods. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
Following Christ is not easy. You will face mockery and insults, especially from those who knew your old life. Yet do not be discouraged—persevere. God’s gift is beyond compare: eternal life. No one else can offer such a promise.
Repentance, however, is not a one-time act that guarantees salvation without effort. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” This means that trials and temptations will come every day, and we must continually pray and strive to overcome them. Satan is never idle; he watches for opportunities to lead us back into sin.
That is why reading God’s Holy Word, the Bible, is essential. Even one verse, read with prayer and a request for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, strengthens faith and keeps your heart aligned with God. Scripture is not only a source of wisdom but also a shield against temptation.
As followers of Christ, we also have obligations. Jesus requires us to share the truth with others, to do good, and to uphold justice. We must despise corruption, cheating, lies, and lust. We are called to respect our parents, honor the elderly, and show compassion to those who are physically unhealthy or handicapped. True care is the mark of a disciple. Do not be ashamed to stand with those who defend the truth. Hiding good deeds or failing to live them out makes one unworthy of being called a follower of God.
Therefore, live each day in repentance, prayer, and perseverance. Read the Bible faithfully, pray for understanding, and let your life reflect Christ’s love. The road may be difficult, but the reward, eternal life with God, is greater than anything this world can offer.
