“And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth
for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” — Matthew 24:14.
Among all the beautiful teachings Jesus shared with us, the topic “God’s Kingdom” was mentioned quite often. He even commanded his disciples, the Christians, to preach the good news of the Kingdom to the entire inhabited world. — Matthew 10:1-11, 24:14, Luke 4:43, 8:1, 10:1, 10:9, Acts 5:42, 10:42.
Jesus’ command to preach the good news of the Kingdom is not only for first-century Christians but also for Christians today. But what does that mean? What is God’s Kingdom? What will God’s Kingdom do? What does it mean that God’s Kingdom will come? How will God’s Kingdom fulfil God’s plan to free humanity from all suffering? We will find the answers in the Scriptures. But first, what is the current situation with the earthly governments?
Let’s examine the governments on earth. These governments are composed of men and women. Like us, they are human beings. But we all share the same problem: we are imperfect. And we all can make mistakes. Therefore, this also applies to the men and women working in the earthly governments — and consequently to the governments themselves.
Governments around the world are funded by their citizens, mainly through taxes and duties. This flow of money can create opportunities for corruption. People might steal money or bribe governments to lower taxes or pass favourable laws. These issues are serious, but power and wealth often lead to corruption. If people are not careful, corruption can take hold. Especially when top government leaders make wrongful decisions, the entire government can be affected, and citizens will suffer.
God’s Word, the Bible, describes the earthly political system and its executive branches in a special way. In Revelation Chapter 13, they are depicted as “the seven-headed, ten-horned beast.” The beast, not even worthy of a proper name, is given the name “666” by God. What does that name or number signify? The number 6 can relate to something imperfect, a failure, or an enemy of God. The fact that it appears three times emphasises its significance. Consequently, the number 666 signifies that, from God’s perspective, the beast embodies “total imperfection,” a “total failure,” or a “total enemy of God.” — Revelation 13:17-18, Daniel 2:31-45.
Another aspect of governments on earth is that they can only address problems they are aware of and handle issues within their capabilities. In earlier chapters, Satan was clearly described as a mass murderer, deceiver, and misleader — causing much misery and disaster on earth. But Satan is invisible; he is a spirit. Can earthly governments do anything about Satan and the troubles he causes? They cannot. Especially with Satan’s final battle unfolding across the earth, the ‘pangs of distress’ (which are already occurring), and the increasing suffering leading to the start of the Great Tribulation, people on earth will face extremely challenging times. The real solution to these problems, therefore, does not lie with earthly governments. — Mark 13:19, Daniel 12:1, Matthew 24:21-22.
*Note: God wants us to show obedience and good behaviour towards earthly authorities, but always show more obedience towards God and His Kingdom. — Acts 5:29, Romans 13:1-2, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13-14, John 19:10-11.
So, the emerging problems and suffering on earth will increase. The ‘pangs of distress’ are already happening, and the Great Tribulation is approaching. Complete chaos on earth will emerge. What can we do? What can we do? God, please help us, please help us!
In His greatness and love for humanity, our Heavenly Father, the One True God, the almighty Creator, has already made a plan to help us! When Jesus taught us how to pray in his model prayer, he said, “Let your Kingdom come.” Let your Kingdom come... God’s Kingdom must be something very significant if Jesus tells us to pray for its arrival, right? Yes, it most definitely is!
The paragraph above explained how earthly governments are entirely incapable of resolving emerging problems. However, for the almighty Creator, nothing is impossible. Is there any problem too big for Him to solve? “For with God nothing will be impossible.” — Luke 1:37.
In His unimaginable love for humankind, God planned to establish a government in Heaven. And not just a government — a government that surpasses the capabilities and properties of all current earthly governments in every single way!
A government that will solve all problems — no challenge will be too great — even the complete chaos and distress caused by Satan’s end-battle! A government that will create paradise on earth. A government that will bring about world peace! A government that will end global warming! A government that will deal with the problem cause, which is Satan the Devil, and his army. An organisation that is not prone to corruption. It won’t take bribes, not even once!
An organisation that is free of any imperfection, free of any flaws, and free of mistakes. It will also serve as the highest court, judging righteously! No mistakes, no errors, all in God’s righteous ways.
An organisation that is also God’s army. A mighty army, protecting its citizens and never harming innocents! An army of legions and legions of faithful ones living in Heaven. Those who are loyal to the Heavenly Father! Those who do His will day and night! Those that shine brightly like the sun! Those who sing praise songs to Him day and night!
A three-in-one organisation under one name. The highest government, the highest court, and the highest army — established by the Highest of the Highest, by God Almighty, our Heavenly Father!
And its name is... God’s Kingdom!
*Cheering* “Yes!! Thank you, Heavenly Father, God’s Kingdom is the solution we need!” and “Yes!! God’s Kingdom is the government we want!”
“The seventh angel blew his trumpet. And there were loud voices in heaven, saying: “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.” — Revelation 11:15.
“In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever,” — Daniel 2:44.
Isn’t it beautiful? God’s Kingdom, a government established by our Heavenly Father Himself, which perfectly does God’s will and will resolve all problems, and will establish paradise on earth. Where is this special government established? Is it located on earth? No. God’s Kingdom is based not on earth but in Heaven. Its leadership and members are spiritual beings, and its perfection and other qualities far surpass human standards, which is why it is established not on earth but in Heaven. — Matthew 4:17, Revelation 3:12, 5:9-10, 21:2, 21:16.
God’s Word tells us more about God’s Kingdom; let’s examine what Revelation Chapter 12 reveals. God showed John a vision of “a great sign in heaven”. He saw that God’s “woman” (His organisation of spirit creatures in Heaven) is pregnant and gives birth to a male child. This symbolic child is soon to “shepherd all the nations with an iron rod.” But then he saw that the child was snatched away to God and to His throne—Revelation 5:9-10, 12:1-5.
This male child that John saw in his vision represents God’s Kingdom. The entire chapter of Revelation 12 provides much insight into God’s Kingdom. Satan, the great dragon, stands near God’s “woman” to devour the child she bears. However, God protects the child and takes it to a safe place. — Revelation 12:6.
Then a war broke out in Heaven. Michael the archangel (chief angel) and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled. Jesus fought a war with Satan and his demons. But Satan and his demons didn’t prevail, and they were cast out of Heaven. The great dragon was hurled down to earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. — Revelation 12:9.
Then the vision of John continues, “I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God!” — Revelation 12:10.
This is one of the mighty acts of God’s Kingdom: Jesus and his army fight against Satan and his demons, casting them out of Heaven. As a result, Heaven is purified of wrongdoers, and God’s will is fully accomplished there! How beautiful! It also gives us great hope for the future fulfilment of God’s promises to end Satan and his demons for good. God’s army demonstrates that it is more than capable of doing so!
How does the vision given to John continue?
“On this account, be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.” — Revelation 12:12.
It is a warning to the inhabited earth because Satan and his demons have been hurled down to the earth and are furious; they know they have only a short time left and are therefore doing everything they can to cause widespread suffering across the whole earth!
We don’t need to fear Satan and his army, but it shows how vital it is to choose the True Christian lifestyle. Because of that, we are well protected by the Almighty God and His mighty army!
When the Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come, he replied, “The Kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness; nor will people say, ‘See here!’ or ‘There!’ For look! the Kingdom of God is in your midst.” — Luke 17:20-21.
Based on that explanation, Jesus told us that God’s Kingdom was already among them because he was in their midst. However, God’s Kingdom had not yet been fully established. (See further paragraph “When was God’s Kingdom established?”). Jesus must hold a significant position in God’s Kingdom, enough to represent it himself.
It keeps getting better! The prophet Daniel explains further: “I kept watching in the visions of the night, and look! with the clouds of the heavens, someone like a son of man was coming; and he gained access to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him up close before that One. And to him there were given rulership, honor, and a kingdom, that the peoples, nations, and language groups should all serve him. His rulership is an everlasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom will not be destroyed.” — Daniel 7:13-14.
And Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, wrote: “which he exercised toward Christ when he raised him up from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above every government and authority and power and lordship and every name that is named, not only in this system of things but also in that to come.” — Ephesians 1:20-21.
Jesus is the head of God’s Kingdom! In full glory and majesty, he has been raised by God from the dead and has been given the Kingdom of God—to rule over the earth and its citizens in a loving, mighty, and righteous manner! What better King could we want than the one appointed by God Almighty Himself?
During Jesus’ time on earth, he already demonstrated that he is loving, humble, caring, patient, righteous, and loyal — always doing what is right. What a blessing it is to have Jesus as our King!
And since Jesus and his army already defeated Satan’s army once, and because of the miracles he performed on earth, we know that Jesus is definitely a mighty King! Certainly able to solve all problems! Jesus said: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” — Matthew 28:18.
Jesus, the perfect King, in all his glory, majesty, and might, will bring about perfect conditions on earth. *sigh* What a beautiful time to look forward to!
Is Jesus the only one who is part of the leadership of God’s Kingdom? Let’s examine what God’s Word says about this! Revelation chapter 5 explains that a small group of people has been chosen to be co-rulers with Jesus in the Kingdom. Jesus lovingly referred to them as the ‘little flock.’ — Luke 12:32.
But how is this group chosen? During his ministry on Earth, Jesus personally selected his 12 apostles. — Luke 6:12-16. However, when it comes to the entire group of 144,000 co-rulers — the Bride class — it is our Heavenly Father Himself who draws and chooses them, with Jesus Christ acting as the mediator and intermediary! — John 6:44, 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5. Jesus explained this himself when he stated that positions in the Kingdom belong to those for whom they have been prepared by his Father. — Matthew 20:23.
Together with Jesus, these 144,000, who were bought from among mankind, will rule as kings and priests from heaven over the earth and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And alongside their King, Jesus Christ, they will work toward the complete fulfillment of all of God’s wonderful promises for mankind! — Matthew 19:28, Revelation 5:9-10, 14:1-5, 20:4-6.
They are bought from humanity at a very high cost: with Jesus’ blood! During their time on earth, their role will be to serve as God’s authority and His official channel of information (in addition to God’s Word, the Bible). They will provide the “spiritual food,” the information from God, to the people on earth. They are the representatives of Jehovah God, Jesus Christ, and God’s Kingdom. — Luke 22:29-30, Revelation 5:10, 22:17.
Are the Bride Class members coming from Heaven, as Jesus did? No, they were born on earth, just like everyone else. And therefore, they are also imperfect like others. But they were called and chosen to be co-rulers in the Kingdom! Together with Jesus, they will reign for a thousand years, help humanity reach perfection, and bring about paradise on this earth! — Matthew 19:28, Romans 8:17, Revelation 20:1-4, 14:1, Psalm 37:29.
“And they sing a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, for you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought people for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.’” — Revelation 5:9-10.
Jesus said to them: “Truly I say to you, in the re-creation, when the Son of man sits down on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.” — Matthew 19:28.
“Then I saw, and look! The Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who have his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads” — Revelation 14:1.
“At that time, the righteous ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Let the one who has ears listen.” — Matthew 13:43.
“Have no fear, little flock, for your Father has approved of giving you the Kingdom.” — Luke 12:32.
Preparing for a wedding always takes time. But this one, a royal occasion, is far from an ordinary wedding! It is a wedding that will be happening in Heaven between the Lamb of God and his bride! And it has been in preparation for nearly 2,000 years!
Soon, joyful music will fill the King’s palace, and heavenly songs will sing out, “Praise Jah, because Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as king! Let us rejoice and be overjoyed and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has arrived and his wife has prepared herself. Yes, it has been granted to her to be clothed with bright, clean, fine linen — for the fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the holy ones.” — Revelation 19:6-8.
The bridegroom, our King Jesus Christ, also has prepared himself for the wedding with glorious wedding garments — clothes with the finest scents, such as myrrh, aloes wood, and cassia, as described in Psalm 45:8-9. He is eagerly looking forward to uniting with his bride!
The bride has also been getting ready for the wedding. Psalm 45 beautifully depicts the Lamb of God’s marriage, and in verse 13, the bride is described as “absolutely magnificent.”
It gets even better! In Revelation 21:2, John describes the bride as a “heavenly city” called the “New Jerusalem” that is “adorned for her husband”. The heavenly city appears most beautiful and is radiant with “the glory of God”, shining like a most precious stone, similar to a jasper stone shining crystal clear — Revelation 21:10-11. It features a great, lofty wall with 12 gates, each guarded by an angel. The wall is made of jasper, and the city itself is composed of pure gold like transparent glass — Revelation 21:18-21.
Furthermore, John describes the bride as “beautifully clothed with bright, clean, fine linen”. — Revelation 19:8.
“Let us rejoice and be overjoyed and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has arrived, and his wife has prepared herself. Yes, it has been granted to her to be clothed with bright, clean, fine linen — for the fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the holy ones.” — Revelation 19:7-8.
The promise of heavenly life is a unique and special hope reserved in the Bible for a specific group: the ‘little flock’, the ‘firstfruits’ or the Bride Class — Luke 12:32, Revelation 14:4. While the great crowd looks forward to everlasting life on a restored earth, the destiny of the Bride Class is to rule together with Jesus in Heaven. But when exactly does this heavenly resurrection take place? Do they go straight to Heaven after death, or did they have to wait? Let us quickly take God’s Word to see if we can answer this question.
A hope that only began with Jesus Christ
First of all it is important to establish that before the coming of Jesus Christ nobody went to Heaven. Jesus himself was very clear when he said: “Moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man” — John 3:13. Faithful men and women of old, such as Abraham, Moses and David, died and went to the grave with the hope of an earthly resurrection. Of King David the apostle Peter firmly said: “David did not ascend to the heavens” — Acts 2:34.
The Bible confirms in Hebrews 11:39-40 that these faithful men and women of old did not yet receive the fulfilment of the promise, because God had “foreseen something better” for the heavenly firstfruits. Only after this heavenly group, the Bride Class, is made complete, will the faithful of old be raised on earth.
The way to Heaven was only opened after Jesus had given his sacrifice. During the Last Supper, just before his death, Jesus made a special covenant with his faithful apostles for a heavenly Kingdom — Luke 22:28-30. Jesus himself was the very first to be raised from death to heavenly life. He thereby became “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in death” — 1 Corinthians 15:20. Without his resurrection a heavenly resurrection would be impossible for anyone. The actual invitation to this heavenly hope began for his followers only after Jesus’ ascension, with the outpouring of Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As Ephesians 1:13-14 explains, from that moment on they were “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit”, serving as a token of their heavenly inheritance and final salvation.
Waiting in the memorial tomb
What happened to the apostles and other members of the Bride Class who died in the first century? Did they, after Jesus’ ascension, go to Heaven immediately after death? The Bible shows this was not the case. Like the rest of mankind they went at death to the memorial tomb, where they were in a state of complete unconsciousness — the sleep of death.* — Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10.
*See Chapter “7.5 - What happens after we die?”
Jesus himself already pointed to a moment in the future when he said that everyone recognising the son will have everlasting life and that he will “raise him up at the last day” — John 6:40. For the Bride Class this literally meant waiting in the grave until that promised period. We know this very certainly, because the apostle Paul, when he felt the end of his life approaching, did not say he would receive his reward in Heaven immediately after death. Instead he wrote: “From this time on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me as a reward in that day, yet not only to me, but also to all those who have loved his manifestation” — 2 Timothy 4:8. Paul knew very well he would ‘sleep’ in death and would have to wait for ‘that day’ — the time of Jesus’ second coming and his manifestation. The heavenly resurrection therefore did not begin in the first century; it lay in the future.
The First Resurrection: During Jesus’ second coming
The Bible calls the resurrection to heavenly life “the first resurrection” — Revelation 20:6. It does not begin at a random moment, but is emphatically linked by the Bible to the time of Jesus Christ’s presence (Greek parousia: the period beginning with his second coming). And in 1 Corinthians 15:23 Paul explains the correct order of the resurrection: “But each one in his own rank: Christ the firstfruits, afterward, during his presence, those who belong to the Christ.”
When Jesus Christ returns in Kingdom power to turn his attention to the earth, the most impressive phase of this resurrection takes place. The members of the Bride Class who for centuries have faithfully slept in death — men such as Peter, John and Paul — are then raised first to immortal life in Heaven.
A momentary change
But what happens to members of the little flock still alive during the period of Jesus’ presence? When they die, do they also go into the memorial tomb to wait? No. As soon as the heavenly resurrection has begun with raising those who died in the past, a change occurs for the anointed dying afterward.
They no longer have to wait in the sleep of death, God’s memorial tomb. As soon as they faithfully end their earthly course in death, they are changed “in the twinkling of an eye”. They die as people of flesh and blood, but are immediately, without having to wait in the memorial tomb, raised as mighty spirit beings — 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. Paul adds in 1 Corinthians 15:53, 54 that this “mortal must put on immortality”; they receive immortal life to be able to rule as kings. What exactly that glorious spirit state looks like was partly a mystery even for the apostles in the first century. Yet the apostle John could confidently write in 1 John 3:2 “We do know that when he is made manifest we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is.”
Just before the present world finds its decisive end in the war of Armageddon, the Bride Class will be made complete. Jesus promised he would send out his angels with a loud trumpet sound to gather his ‘chosen ones’ from all directions — Matthew 24:31. When the last members of the little flock still on earth have finished their work, Jesus will take them to himself, so that the whole Bride Class is safely united with him in Heaven. This is exactly what Jesus promised his followers when he said: “I am coming again and will receive you home to myself, so that where I am you also may be” — John 14:3.
Only when this complete heavenly government, consisting of Christ and his anointed brothers and sisters, is complete and installed, can the great crowd on earth, after Armageddon has taken place, begin to experience the overwhelming blessings of their heavenly government.
“Because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
“Look! I tell you a sacred secret: We shall not all fall asleep in death, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, during the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised up incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” — 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.
“In the house of my Father there are many dwellings. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going my way to prepare a place for you. Also, if I go my way and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will receive you home to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” — John 14:2-3.
Foreword — the correction: in an earlier version we calculated 1912-1913 from Daniel 4 as the establishment date. We withdraw that calculation. Daniel 4 itself announces no second fulfilment, and Jesus told us that it is not for us (humans) to know the times — Matthew 24:36, Acts 1:7. The date is therefore unknown. Below we explain step by step and in simple words why, so you can verify it yourself.
Old Jerusalem was destroyed in 587/586 BC. The city was set on fire. The temple was levelled to the ground. The people panicked. The people felt defeated. “Oh my God, what now?!” “God, help us, please help us!”.
But... now that the old was destroyed, the people could fully look forward to a new Jerusalem! For God’s Word indicates that another Jerusalem would come, a heavenly Jerusalem, and a new Kingdom that would be established on heavenly Mount Zion! An ultimate government of God! That will put an end to all misery (in the future)! An ultimate government that will bring paradise on earth! And its King would come from David’s line! — Psalm 2:6-7, Hebrews 5:5, Revelation 14:1-3.
And God foretold that He would grant kingship to “the one who has the legal right” — Ezekiel 21:25-27. Who has the legal right to receive kingship? God’s Word identifies Jesus Christ as the one with the legal right to inherit the everlasting Kingdom! — Luke 1:30-33.
First, we examine how the old calculation was built.
Let’s begin by exploring the prophecies of Daniel Chapter 4. Daniel Chapter 4 describes how King Nebuchadnezzar received a dream from God that left him fearful. In the visions he saw, he perceived “a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was enormous. The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached the heavens, and it was visible to the ends of the whole earth.” — Daniel 4:10-11.
Then he saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from the heavens, calling out loudly to chop down the tree, but to leave the stump with its roots in the ground, banded with iron and copper around it. — Daniel 4:13-16.
The watcher continues, “Let its heart be changed from that of a human, and let it be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over it. This is by the decree of the watchers, and the request is by the word of the holy ones, so that people living may know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that he gives it to whomever he wants, and he sets up over it even the lowliest of men.” — Daniel 4:16-17.
King Nebuchadnezzar was afraid and wanted to understand what his dream meant. He ordered all the wise men of Babylon to be brought before him to explain the dream. When the magic-practising priests, the conjurers, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers arrived, they couldn’t interpret the dream for him. Finally, the prophet Daniel came before him. The king told Daniel about the dream, and Daniel began to interpret it.
Daniel was momentarily alarmed and told the king, “O my lord, may the dream apply to those hating you, and its interpretation to your enemies.” Because Daniel understood what the dream meant, and it wasn’t a pleasant forewarning of what was to come for King Nebuchadnezzar himself.
Then Daniel began to give the interpretation of the dream: “The tree that you saw that grew great and became strong, whose top reached the heavens and was visible to all the earth, it is you, o king, because you have grown great and become strong and your grandeur has grown and reached to the heavens”. And “the watcher who was saying “chop down the tree and destroy it but leave the stump with its roots in the ground” it means it is the decree of the Most High that must befall my lord the king. You will be driven away from among men, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field” and “seven times will pass over you until you know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that He grants it to whomever he wants” and “but because they said to leave the stump of the tree with its roots, your kingdom will be yours again after you come to know that the heavens are ruling”. — Daniel 4:20-27.
So... God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a vision of *his own* rulership, which was to be interrupted until he recognised that the Most High is Ruler and grants kingship to whomever He wills. Daniel 4:20-27 states explicitly: “it is you, o king”. The text itself gives no second meaning about God’s rulership being interrupted. The lesson of the chapter is the opposite: while a human king is set aside for seven times, God keeps ruling.
God created the ancient nation of Israel as a kingdom that would represent His rule on earth. The kings of Israel were His true representatives. However, because its rulers became unfaithful, God permitted that kingdom to fall into ruin.
Daniel 4:16-17 says seven times would pass over Nebuchadnezzar himself. Luke 21:24 speaks of “times of the nations” in connection with Jerusalem being trampled, but Luke does not cite Daniel 4, gives no number, and gives no start date. Linking the two is a human bridge, not a quotation. Revelation 12:6, 14 speaks of 3.5 times = 1,260 days for the woman kept safe. “A day for a year” — Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6 — applies there where the text says so; the Bible nowhere commands it as a general rule for all prophecy. So 3.5 times x 2 = 2,520 days = 2,520 years is a calculation people have built, not a verse. We no longer present it as God’s Word.
How much time is represented by “seven times” in years?
If we examine Revelation 12, verses 6 and 14, we can understand what ‘three and a half times’ means. Revelation Chapter 12 describes the “woman of God who gives birth to a child”. Because the dragon, Satan the Devil, was lurking near the woman to devour the child as soon as it was born, God protected the woman and her child. This prophecy relates to God’s Kingdom, which the woman of God gave birth to. How long was the woman kept safe? “A time and times and a half time”. Three and a half times! — Revelation 12:14.
How long was three and a half times?
“And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God and where they would feed her for 1,260 days.” — Revelation 12:6.
This 1,260 days belongs to Revelation 12, not to Daniel 4. We therefore do not use it to define Daniel’s seven times. Daniel 4:33 reports the fulfilment on Nebuchadnezzar himself. There is no second fulfilment announced in the chapter.
If anyone still wants to test the ‘seven times = 2,520 years’ idea, the only honest start for an ‘interrupted Davidic kingship’ would be the destruction of Jerusalem, when throne, city and temple were gone — not 609 BC, when Josiah/Jehoiakim still ruled and the temple stood. Until 587 BC a Davidic king sat in Jerusalem, even as vassal. Only in 587/586 BC was the throne left empty — 2 Kings 25:8-10, Ezekiel 21:25-27.
That means the destruction of Jerusalem falls in 587/586 BC. How do we get that date? Not from one single source of information, but from four clues pointing to the same year:
1. The heavenly bodies (stars, planets, moons) as a clock. Tablet VAT 4956 is like a diary: “in the 37th regnal year of Nebuchadnezzar the moon and planets stood at these and these positions.” Astronomers can recalculate the positions of the heavenly bodies with a computer. The pattern of tablet VAT 4956 fits only 568/567 BC. Count back to year 18 of the same king, and you arrive at 587/586 BC, the year the Bible gives for the destruction of Jerusalem. — 2 Kings 25. If you shift 20 years in the calculation to reach 609-608-607 BC, the positions of the heavenly bodies no longer fit.
2. Business tablets / Egibi archives serve as thousands of receipts. Banks and shops wrote every day: “day X, month Y, year Z of King N.” Together they form one long chain without a 20-year gap: Nabopolassar - Nebuchadnezzar (43 years) - Amel-Marduk - Neriglissar - Nabonidus - Cyrus II 539 BC. A clear line with historical data! If we chose 609-608-607 BC as the date for the fall of Jerusalem, that would create a ±20-year gap in the historical data.
3. A Babylonian police report, Chronicle BM 21946, reports the capture of Jerusalem in 597 BC (King Jehoiachin). The years after that run straight on to 587 BC and then to 539 BC.
4. What God’s Word, the Bible, itself tells us: Ezekiel counts from the deportation of Jehoiachin (597 BC). His 25th year is 573 BC (Ezekiel 40:1). King Zedekiah then ruled another 11 years: 597 - 11 = 587. That is the same outcome that also comes forward from the clay tablets!
About Ptolemy (±150 AD): he made a star-list of kings, not a complete history book. Sometimes he skips a king who ruled only a few months. Babylon started the year in spring (Nisan), Judah sometimes in autumn (Tishri). That explains 1 year of deviation. So 1 year of deviation is normal. But 20 years of deviation is not correct (when taking 609-608-607 as the year for the fall of Jerusalem). So 587 BC stands firm — not thanks to Ptolemy, but because the positions of the heavenly bodies + clay tablets (receipts) + chronicles + the Bible (Ezekiel 40:1) all tell the same story.
How about Cyrus and the 70 years? About 539 BC (fall of Babylon) and 530 BC (death of Cyrus, 9-year reign) — this is confirmed by the same Babylonian astronomy as above, e.g. tablet BM33066 with two lunar eclipses in year 7 of Cambyses II.
Cyrus’ decree in his first year to return and rebuild the temple — 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-11 — fell between 539 and 538 BC (12-month margin due to accession-year and Nisan/Tishri reckoning and uncertainty when during those 12 months Cyrus received the message from God — so always state a period, never one exact year). The 70 years in the Bible — Jeremiah 25:11-12 serving Babylon, Jeremiah 29:10 for Babylon, Zechariah 1:12, Daniel 9:2 — describe 70 years of domination or servitude (e.g. 605 BC first deportation to 538 BC decree) and 70 years of temple desolation (587 BC destruction to 516 BC rebuilding of the temple, Ezra 6:15). They do not force that 539 minus 70 = 609 BC is the destruction date. In 609 BC Nabopolassar ruled in Babylon, Josiah had just fallen at Megiddo and Nebuchadnezzar was not yet king — Jerusalem was not yet destroyed then (2 Kings 23-24).
Test it yourself: take the most logical start for an interrupted throne, which is 587 BC, add 2,520 years to it and then add another 1 year as correction for the non-existence of year 0, then the outcome would be 1934 AD as the establishment year of God’s Kingdom. Nothing in Matthew 24, Matthew 25 or Revelation describes the year 1934 as enthronement. Also the signs on earth that people would see in connection with the establishment of God’s Kingdom — God’s Kingdom established, war in Heaven, Satan and demons thrown out of Heaven and banished to earth, great damage because they know their time is short (Revelation 12:12), then outbreak of the First World War, founding of the League of Nations, outbreak of the Second World War etc. — do not match the year 1934, because the First World War had already happened by 1934.
Earlier we wrote: “Conclusion: God’s Kingdom was established somewhere between 1912 and 1913!” We hereby withdraw that conclusion.
Conclusion now: Daniel 4 is about Nebuchadnezzar, fulfilled in his lifetime. It gives no second fulfilment and offers no date for the restoration of God’s rulership: the establishment of God’s Kingdom. Nowhere in the Bible is Daniel 4’s seven times referred back to for a future calculation. The establishment date is therefore unknown — and Jesus told us that it is not for us (humans) to know the times. — Acts 1:6-7.
Nevertheless, even though we cannot calculate the date of the establishment of God’s Kingdom, God’s Kingdom is still THE ultimate organisation, established by our Heavenly Father Himself! The Kingdom that will put an end to all misery, and will turn the earth into a paradise! And it will do all kinds of wonderful things for humanity, more about that in Chapter 7!
“But there is a God in the heavens who is a Revealer of secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what is to happen in the final part of the days. This is your dream, and these are the visions of your head as you lay on your bed:” — Daniel 2:28.
“The seventh angel blew his trumpet. And there were loud voices in heaven, saying: “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.” — Revelation 11:15.
“With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” — Revelation 21:3-4.
Many church members believe in Jesus’ second coming, and they are quite right, because it is a central part of Jesus’ teaching!
Usually when people speak about Jesus’ second coming, they mean the event where Jesus comes to collect his anointed brothers from the earth and will take them with him to Heaven. But Jesus also told something else about his second coming: that his coming also has to do with judging humanity. These are not two different comings, but one coming seen from two sides. — Matthew 24:36, Acts 1:7. Let us take the two Bible passages to see what Jesus told exactly.
“Also, if I go my way and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you home to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” — John 14:3.
“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” — Matthew 25:31-32.
In John 14:3 Jesus tells that he will take away from the earth the chosen ones who are still alive on earth at that moment and will take them with him to Heaven. And although Jesus was already given rulership at his ascension (Daniel 7:13-14 “Son of man receives rulership with the Ancient of Days”, Acts 2:33-36 “exalted”, Ephesians 1:20-21 “set above all government”, Matthew 28:18 “All authority has been given me.”), Jesus tells in Matthew 25:31-32 that he will take his place on his glorious throne and will begin to judge humanity; he will then ‘sit’ as judge to judge humanity as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will judge people on whether we supported Jesus’ brothers, those belonging to the Bride Class, or not. — Matthew 25:31-46.
And does Jesus’ second coming concern all people on earth, only Christians, or only members of the Bride Class*? Let us see what God’s Word tells us about it! — John 14:1-4, Matthew 24:30-31, 25:31-32, Mark 13:26, Luke 21:27, Revelation 1:7.
*anointed brothers means the same as Jesus’ brothers (not his siblings) and members of the Bride Class.
For whom is this information important? Is it only for Christians, only for members of the Bride Class, or is it important for everyone? The period beginning with Jesus’ second coming is important for everyone on earth! God’s Word tells us that Jesus will begin to judge humanity on whether we supported the members of the Bride Class or not. So that is hugely important information! For then we know what to make extra effort for in order to be judged positively! We also know that the Bride Class is a special class going to Heaven, and that we should not just tell “all believers belong to the Bride Class” or “all believers go to Heaven” or “all believers are chosen ones and leadership of God’s Kingdom!”. — Matthew 24:21, 25:31-46, Psalm 110:2, 2 Timothy 3:1, Daniel 8:19.
And then the last war that will ever happen, the great day of Almighty God, Armageddon, will take place! Finally an end will come to the suffering that has ruled on earth for millennia, especially the extreme suffering during the Great Tribulation will then be brought to an end!
“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling out of heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from earth’s extremity to heaven’s extremity.” — Mark 13:24-27.
“And just as people die once and for all and are judged afterwards, so also Christ was offered once and for all to bear the sins of many. The second time he comes, it will not be to take away sin. He will be seen by those who are eagerly looking for him for their salvation.” — Hebrews 9:27-28.
“He who testifies of these things says: ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” — Revelation 22:20.
“Be sober-minded, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8.
The Bible speaks about a specific, challenging period preceding a definitive change in world history. In God’s Word, this transitional period is often called “the end time” or “the last days”. According to the Bible, this era already began in the first century, starting with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:16-17, Hebrews 1:1-2). The apostle Paul wrote that as this period progressed, it would be marked by increasing pressures: “But know this, that in the last days critical times will come.” — 2 Timothy 3:1.
When Jesus’ disciples asked about the future, he foretold that this era would be marked by worldwide unrest and great problems. His purpose with these warnings was not to frighten or to spread panic. On the contrary: Jesus shared this information precisely to give people a hold. By understanding the times we live in and knowing what is happening, people can put the chaos in the world into perspective, stay watchful, and keep their inner peace. Jesus and his apostles gave a clear overview of the signs by which we can recognise this challenging period:
The signs Jesus mentioned, in general words:
- Many wars — Matthew 24:6-7, Revelation 6:4.
- Many false prophets will come — Matthew 24:5, 11.
- Large-scale epidemics — Luke 21:11.
- Many food shortages — Matthew 24:7, Luke 21:11.
- Many earthquakes — Matthew 24:7.
- Environmental pollution, with people destroying the earth — Revelation 11:18.
- Christians are oppressed, hated, or killed because of Jesus’ name — Matthew 24:9.
- Many will stumble, betray one another, and hate one another — Matthew 24:10.
- Increase in crime and large-scale lawlessness — Matthew 24:12.
- Degeneracy of behaviour — 2 Timothy 3:1-4.
- Love will grow cold; love for God will decrease — Matthew 24:12, 2 Timothy 3:4.
- Hypocrisy in religions, with faith but lacking power (fake faith) — 2 Timothy 3:5.
- Indifference and mockery (people will disbelieve in the signs and even mock them) — Matthew 24:37-39, 2 Peter 3:3-4.
- Fulfilment of prophecies simultaneously and not just a few of them — Matthew 24:33.
- Greater understanding of biblical prophecies — Daniel 12:4.
- The good news of the Kingdom will be preached worldwide — Matthew 24:14.
“You will hear of wars and reports of wars. Do not be alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet.” — Matthew 24:6.
“But when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is near.” — Luke 21:28.
Jesus gave us signs to recognise when the Great Tribulation begins. An important marker we find in Mark 13:14 “However, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader use discernment), then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains.”
Historically the first part of this prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD, when the Roman armies surrounded and destroyed the temple in Jerusalem (see Luke 21:20-24). Besides this historical event, according to Bible prophecy this pattern also points forward to the Great Tribulation in the end time.
Jesus himself makes the direct link between the ‘disgusting thing’ and the start of the Great Tribulation. Matthew gives the full version with the source included, while Mark provides the shorter account:
“When you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place (let the reader use discernment), then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains.” — Matthew 24:15-16. (See also Mark 13:14)
Immediately after this, the announcement follows: “For then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.” — Matthew 24:21. (See also Mark 13:19)
It gives us a recognition signal: as soon as that desecration becomes visible, it serves as the sign to flee.
Background in Daniel: Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11 speak of stopping the constant feature and setting up a disgusting thing that causes desolation. Paul and John describe a future fulfillment of this: the man of lawlessness seating himself in God’s temple and providing himself as a god (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), and the wild beast demanding worship (Revelation 13:14-15).
The role of the ‘disgusting thing’
In the end time this ‘disgusting thing’ is often linked with the scarlet seven-headed beast from Revelation 17. Within prophetic explanation this beast is seen as a reference to the United Nations. The reason is a striking parallel with Revelation 17:8, where it is said about the beast: it “was, is not, and will ascend out of the abyss”.
Many Bible researchers see in modern history a symbolic fulfilment of this text:
- It was: The founding of the League of Nations after the First World War as an international peace organisation.
- It is not (in the abyss): During the Second World War the League failed in its goal and the organisation became completely inactive and powerless (symbolically the “abyss”).
- It ascends out of the abyss: After the war this international peace initiative powerfully rose again in a new form: the United Nations.
This is a pattern that does not apply to NATO or individual governments for example because they do not fit the ‘it was — it is not — it is again’ pattern. As expected this pattern fits better a worldwide peace coalition.
The expectation is that this organisation (the UN) will in the end time form a coalition turning against false religions, and will destroy them (Revelation 17:16). Jesus foretold that this attack marks the start of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14).
The attack on the true worshippers.
After the seven-headed beast has attacked the false religions, the focus will shift. An international coalition arises, called by the prophet Ezekiel “Gog of the land of Magog” (Ezekiel 38:1, 2, 9-12, 18-23). The expectation is that this coalition will launch a final attack on God’s true worshippers, the True Christians.
God, our Heavenly Father, however, will not let this attack succeed. As Jesus promised in Matthew 24:20 and Mark 13:20, God will “shorten the days” to protect the chosen ones, because otherwise no flesh would be saved. He will intervene and stop the attack on His worshippers. And that is the moment when the last war, God’s intervention will happen. The last war that will ever take place, Armageddon, will put an end to all misery!
“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved.” — Matthew 24:21-22.
“These will battle with the Lamb, but because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb will conquer them. Also, those with him who are called and chosen and faithful will do so.” — Revelation 17:14.
When Satan’s end-battle begins, starting with the ‘pangs of distress’ that become increasingly out of control and then give rise to the Great Tribulation, people on earth will face perilous times. Especially once the Great Tribulation has commenced, times will be extremely difficult for mankind. The stars will fall from the sky, the moon will no longer shine, and even the sun will be dimmed. It will be a great tribulation unlike any that has happened before, nor will it happen again. God will even have to shorten the days; otherwise, no flesh will be saved at all. — Read Matthew 24.
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” — Matthew 24:29-30.
What God’s Kingdom will do in the future:
- Jesus and his angels will deal with Satan and demons. — Revelation 12:7-12, 20:1-3.
- Jesus will rule as King. — Daniel 7:13-14, Revelation 11:15.
- Jesus will judge humanity as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will judge people on whether they supported Jesus’ anointed brothers, those belonging to the Bride Class, or not — Matthew 25:31-46.
Let’s examine what is to come from the beginning of the Great Tribulation.
- Firstly, the destruction of false religions will occur swiftly, led by the political powers represented by the United Nations. The scarlet-coloured seven-headed beast will attempt to devour the purple-dressed prostitute riding on the beast. — Revelation 13:1, 17:1, 17:3, 17:5, 17:15-18, 18:9-10, 18:21.
- The attack on True Christianity will occur. A coalition of nations, referred to as “Gog of the land of Magog” by Ezekiel, will attempt to eradicate those who are part of True Christianity. The Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, however, will shield His worshippers from harm. — Ezekiel 38:1, 2, 9-12, 18-23.
- Jesus will gather the remaining members of the Bride Class who are still alive on earth and bring them to Heaven. — Matthew 24:31, John 14:3, 1 Corinthians 15:50-53, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 5:9-10, 17:14, 20:4-6.
- The Armageddon will commence. It is also known as “the great day of God the Almighty”. — Revelation 16:14-16, Isaiah 13:9, 2 Peter 3:12.
It’s not a meteorite, volcanic activity, or anything other than the last war that will ever happen! God’s intervention by bringing His Kingdom into action to end all misery on earth! Those who are judged unfavourably by Jesus Christ will be destroyed, and this will include the worldwide political system on earth. — 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, Revelation 19:19-21.
- Confinement of Satan and demons. Satan and his demons will be confined to the abyss. They will be kept in a state of death-like inactivity for 1,000 years after the Armageddon. Until then, they cannot cause any further misery. — Revelation 20:1-3, 20:7.
- The Millennium, or the thousand-year judgement day, begins. Now, with all the causes of trouble removed, God’s Kingdom is the only government or political system remaining, and it will start to rule over the earth and its inhabitants for 1,000 years. It will establish paradise on earth, bring worldwide peace, teach humankind to attain perfect good and healthy behaviour, and bestow many other blessings upon humanity! — Revelation 20:6, Psalm 37:11, 29.
God’s Kingdom will then:
- Resurrect the dead (all those sleeping in God’s remembrance grave) — John 5:28-29.
- Solve the earth’s environmental problems — Isaiah 35:1-2.
- Eliminate world hunger — Psalm 72:16.
- Ensure perfect health for everyone — Isaiah 33:24.
- Reverse the effects of death and ageing — Revelation 21:3-4.
- Bring about world peace and safety — Isaiah 54:13, Micah 4:4.
- Teach people what they need to know to live forever — John 17:3.
But more on that will be in Chapter 7 - Eternal Life!
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