1260 Days of Tribulation in Jerusalem D.C. and Utah

Words and pages 1260 describe the period of temporary bondage of the reign of the beast, tying in to Israel and the U.S. and Utah

"...the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months." (Rev. 11:2.)
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"And there was given unto him [the beast] a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." (Rev. 13:2.)
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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 [year] and times [2 years] and the dividing of time [1/2 year]." (Daniel 7:25.)

Word 1260 in NT Lexicon

The prophecies regarding a period lasting three-and-a-half years, or 42 months, or 1260 days has been the subject of much study, deliberation and controversy as people have tried to piece together the prophetic timeline outlined in scripture.

Here is the definition as given by Zodhiates:

1260 dialogizomai To reckon through, to settle and account. In the NT to consider, reason, discourse, whether in silence by oneself or by discourse with others to consider together, deliberate, debate; to dispute.
Syn (4648), to mark, consider; (4920), understand, put things together; (4802), to discuss, examine together; (4817), to reason, compute; (5282), to surmise.

I think of all the people who have deliberated over this 3.5-year thing.

Interestingly, 1260 is the number of days in 42 months, which is reckoned in reference to the moon; and the moon is 1263 miles in diameter -- very close to 1260, for whatever that is worth.

Page 1260 in Zodhiates

On page 1260 of Zodhiates NT lexicon is part of the definition for word 4471, Ramah, the name of several towns in Palestine.  The first complete sentence on page 1260, within that definition, begins with the phrase, "At the capture of Jerusalem . . ."

The mention of "Palestine towns" and "capture of Jerusalem" is significant in the context of Revelation 11:2.

Here are some other phrases found in that definition:

-- It was fortified by {___}, but the kind of Judah stopped the work through the cooperation of the {___}s.
-- the captives were placed under guard
-- A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping
-- slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem
-- reoccupied after the captivity
-- five miles north of Jerusalem where broken columns, many large hewn stones of houses, and other ancient remains are to be found

The next word on the page is 4472, rhantizo, which means "to sprinkle," and gives the commentary, "Sprinkling was the method of application for the blood of the sacrifice in order to secure its atoning efficacy and the method of purifying connection with expiation."  A similar explanation is given for word 4473: "In the NT the blood of /Christ corresponds to the OT blood of sprinkling."

This definition calls to mind what lies at the core of three-way rift between Jews, Muslims and Christians -- all of which descend from the same patriarch, Abraham.

The Jew-Christian rift is obvious in that the Jews deny any legitimacy to the Christian claim that Jesus Christ fulfilled the ancient law of Moses and the various rituals it entailed.

"Blood of sprinkling" in the Jew-Muslim context calls to mind the most sacred edifice and most holy place on earth in the Jewish tradition -- their temple, and the sacred temple lot.  But the spot is also extremely sacred to the Muslims, who believe that it was from there that Mohammed ascended into heaven.  Compare that with this passage on page 1260:

"Some have imagined that the sprinkling of the holy place or altar find their fulfillment in another occasion, namely, when Christ ascended into heaven immediately following His resurrection."

Indeed, at the temple mount in Jerusalem, the controversy over "the blood of sprinkling" has cause probably more sprinkling of blood than any other thing in history.  Ironic indeed that this place that is as the heart of the world should cause so much blood to flow.

And that is the imagery that is conveyed in the last word definition on page 1260.

4474 rhapizo To beat with rods, scourge. Later, in the NT, to hit with the open hand, to cuff, slap, especially the cheeks or ears.

This not only calls to mind the humiliating blows imposed upon the Savior, but likewise captures the blows that have been imposed by the Israelis on the Palestinians and vise versa.

On the next page are the names Rachel and Rebecca, the wives of Jacob and Isaac, the Christian and Jewish line of the grandson and son of Abraham, who is father also of the Muslamic Arabs.

Gametria Implications of 1260 dialogizomai

The gametric value of dialogizomai (word 1260 in the NT lexicon) is d(4) + i(10) + a(1) + l(30) + o(70) + g(3) + i(10) + z(7) + o(70) + m(40) + a(1) + i(10) = 256.

Word 256 in the Old Testament Hebrew lexicon is the proper noun Ahab, who was king of Israel, and which name means "father's brother."

That is what makes the Arab-Israeli-Christian conflict so ironic.  They all descend from the same father, Abraham.

Word 256 in the New Testament Greek lexicon is Alphaeus, which derives from a Hebrew name that is word 2501 in the Old Testament lexicon.  It means, "for, in exchange for," which captures the idea of the various treaties and negotiations that take place in Israel/Palestine between the Jews and Arabs.  Ironically, this word is found on page 283, which is the number of days of full gestation of a human embryo, signifying metaphorically the birthing of the kingdom of God.  Consider some of the other words on this page: "to set free, to deliver" (2502); "active, ready prepared for battle; equipped or arrayed for war" (2502); "gird up one's loins; to go out of the loins, to be begotten" (2504); "liberation" (2503); and finally, "[2]to divide, especially by lot; to destine, to number, to count among; a field divided by lot, an inheritance; 'he shall share the inheritance amongst the brethren,' i.e. shall have the same portion as they; [3] to despoil" (2505).  [See write up on 283 and the birthing of the manchild.]

Word 1260 in the OT Lexicon

Old Testament Hebrew word 1260 Bered, "hail," doesn't seem to convey anything overly profound in the context of 42 months, other than perhaps the metaphoric idea of a severe storm.  However, the very next word, that is spelled with the same consonant letters, means, "sprinkled with spots, ...as if sprinkled with hail."

This usage of the word "sprinkled" serves as witness to intention behind the correlations on page 1260 of Zodhiates' NT lexicon where two of the four definitions on the page have to do with "sprinkling."

And as the blood spilt in Israel is hardly a trickle, so is "hail" hardly a "sprinkling."

The next word listed is:

1262 (1) to cut, to cut asunder; to cut out, to cut off; hence a covenant, so called from the victims being cut in two; (3) to choose.

I don't know what victims being cut in two has to do with covenant.  My guess is that this is a poor translation from the German in which Gesenius wrote his lexicon.  What I see here is the idea of a division and a covenantal choice being made:  either to turn to God and live or to trust in the arm of flesh and be destroyed.  That is the ultimate winnowing effect the 1260 day period of tribulation.

Gametria Implications of 1260 Bared

The gametric value of Bared (word 1260 in OT lexicon) is

    B = 2
    R = 200
   D = 6  
total = 206

Words 206 in the NT and OT lexicons create an amazing antonym set that capture the sentiments surrounding the controversies of the temple mount.

Word 206 in the New Testament Greek (Zodhiates) is defined

206 akron The top or tip.  Extreme, extremity.
Deriv (204), cornerstone, foundation; (205), top of the heap, firstfruits.

It is human nature to view their own religion or their own nation as being the best, the top of the heap.  Nowhere is the incompatibility of two or more rival religions and nationalities being pitted against one another displayed more vividly and the results manifest more violently than at the temple mount in Jerusalem.

Compare this now with the Old Testament definition.  Gesenius lists the definition for word 206 as being part of the definition for word 205 in his Old Testament Hebrew lexicon.

205,206 (1) emptiness, vanity; (2) vanity of words; falsehood, fraud; (3) wickedness, iniquity; (4) misfortune, adverse circumstances, calamity.

Combined, these two definitions 206 convey the idea of the height of vanity.

Gesenius does not use the identical alphabetical sequence scheme as does James Strong, who established the numbering standard at the turn of the century.  The very next word listed after 206 is 202, which number is the telephone area code of another place where vanity reaches full proportions -- Washington D.C.

202 on faculty, ability, hence -- (1) strength, power, specially of virile and genital power [not to name names or anything] "first fruits of strength;" (2) substance, wealth.

Notice the verbatim mention of "firstfruits" here and in the derivatives for word 206 in Greek above.  This is another witness as to the divine intention and planning behind these Alphabetics correlations.

Gesenius also lists a definition for word 202 prior to words 205 and 206.

see 202 (3) living at ease, riches, wealth; (4) ease, ability.

The prophecies warn, "woe unto those who are at ease in Zion."  (Isa. 32:9; Amos 6:1; II Nephi 28:24.)

One other note of significance is that word 206 in Zodhiates' NT lexicon falls on page 116.  That is the number of manuscript pages that were lost by Martin Harris -- an event foreseen by the Lord and for which he made provisions to have a back up plan.  Surely there is some sort of lesson here for the 1260 concept.  Satan makes war with the saints and prevails against them, but God has made provisions for their deliverance that he will bring into play when they are sufficiently contrite  -- when their loftiness and ease have been brought low.  This collective broken heart and contrite spirit posture is ripe grounds for God to bring about a mighty change that will shut the mouths of kings.  He will not let his people be destroyed.

Page 1260 of Webster's '61 Dictionary

The first definition on page 1260 of my 1961 Webster's Dictionary is "Laboratory," which is appropriate to the idea that Jerusalem is as a touchstone for the world to see how we will treat one another despite such rigorous differences in our religious teachings and traditional heritage.  Will we bring the animosities of the past to a head to the destruction of all or will we learn to get along and bridge our differences?

Another word of great significance on that page is

Labyrinth 1 a : .. full of intricate passageways that make it difficult to find the way from the interior to the entrance or from the entrance to the center. 2 a : something often bewilderingly involved or tortuous in structure, arrangement, or character.

This scripture in Zechariah 12 comes to mind:

   2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
   3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Facing Page 435 to word 1260 in Zodhiates

Definition 1260 falls on page 434 of Zodhiates, facing page 435, which is a significant number in relation to outskirts Utah (435 is the telephone area code) where many of the Mormon remnant may be found. [See 435 Alphabetics Study.]

But though many who reside in these areas think they will be preserved from the tribulations in in a special way, consider these definitions that fall on that page.

1264 diamachomai To fight together. Used in Acts 23:0 metaphorically meaning to contend with words or to dispute earnestly.
Syn. (75), to contend; (2051), to wrangle; (464), to struggle against, (4865), to strive together with.
Ant. (1514), to bring peace or be at peace, reconcile; (1517), to make peace; (2270), to be still, hold one's peace.

You would have to live in these regions to appreciate just how fitting that definition is to what goes on around here at present.  The area is anything but peaceful when it comes to religious belief.  The mainstream Mormons contend amongst themselves and with the 'apostates' who have been cast out.  And those who have been excommunicated from the LDS church do not exactly get along with one another either, but are divided into a thousand different factions.  Yet rooted in most all of their theology is the centerpiece of love and peace that is supposed to come through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The next word definition on page 435

1265 diameno To remain permanently or to continue in the same place.
Ant. (4198), to depart from one place to another; (1633), to leave a place; (5563), to separate oneself.

There is a lot of flux in and out of here of people seeking a place of refuge from the coming calamities.  They see it as a place of temporary residence until the reign of the beast tribulations pass, at which point most of them envision themselves going to the New Jerusalem, which most of them believe will be in Missouri, where they believe the garden of Eden was. [See write-up on Visions of Sanpete -- Place of Interim Gathering]

1266 diamerizo To separate into parts or divide up.
Syn. (1268), to disseminate, spread; (873), to mark off by boundaries, divide, separate; (3307), to apportion; (2624), to divide by lot.
Ant. (4887), to bind together; (4883), to fit together; (4820), to combine; (4790), to communicate.

That definition is loaded with hot phrases in Mormon theology relevant to the establishment of Zion and the challenges in getting there.

Then comes the word

1267 diamerismos Division, apportionment, portion.  Used metaphorically meaning dissension.
Syn. (1370), division, dissension; (4978), rent, schism.
Ant. (1775), unity; (2218), yoke, a balancing out as it joins.

There is indeed coming a great division of the wheat from the tares.  Finally coming out of that will be a people yoked together in unity and peace.

Epilogue

Amazingly, this study on 1260 in its various occurrences ties a great many diverse facets together.  As would be expected, it ties into Jerusalem, but it does not limit its commentary there.  It also ties into D.C., the capitol of the U.S. and even of the free world in many regards.  Indeed the U.S. could be thought of as a sort of New Jerusalem for the gathering of the Lord's people.  It also ties into Utah and the remnant Mormons who are concentrated in the outskirts regions.

All of these are on a parallel one with the other, being designated to be a light to the world, but having become as salt that has lost its savor and is therefore prophesied to undergo some serious purgings -- namely being prevailed against for a period by the beastly powers of the world.  Woven through it all are the purposes of God in moving his children forward in their progression and ultimately landing them in a world of peace and freedom for which society has yearned all through time.

Sterling D. Allan
October 23, 2000

This page created on October 23, 2000
Last updated on February 28, 2002