And I heard the man that was clothed in linen, that stood upon the waters of the river, when he had lifted up his right hand, and his left hand to heaven, and had sworn by him that liveth for ever, that it should be unto a time, and times, and half a time. And when the scattering of the band of the holy people shall be accomplished, all these things shall be finished.
וָאֶשְׁמַ֞ע אֶת־הָאִ֣ישׁ ׀ לְב֣וּשׁ הַבַּדִּ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר מִמַּעַל֮ לְמֵימֵ֣י הַיְאֹר֒ וַיָּ֨רֶם יְמִינ֤וֹ וּשְׂמֹאלוֹ֙ אֶל־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע בְּחֵ֣י הָעוֹלָ֑ם כִּי֩ לְמוֹעֵ֨ד מֽוֹעֲדִ֜ים וָחֵ֗צִי וּכְכַלּ֛וֹת נַפֵּ֥ץ יַד־עַם־קֹ֖דֶשׁ תִּכְלֶ֥ינָה כָל־אֵֽלֶּה׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
In due course, during designated periods and a brief interval, everything will reach its conclusion, meaning that this will occur following the downfall of the one who afflicted the Jewish people, burdening them with numerous adversities.
I encountered a figure dressed in linen, positioned above the waters of the river, who raised both hands to the heavens and swore by the eternal One that it would be for a time, times, and half a time. Porphyry interprets this period as three and a half years, an interpretation we accept based on the distinctive language of Scripture. For it is stated that seven periods of wilderness shall pass over Nebuchadnezzar, and in the vision of four beasts—a lion, a bear, a leopard, and another beast whose name is not mentioned, symbolizing the Roman Empire—it is written about the Antichrist that he will humiliate rulers, utter blasphemies against the Most High, and persecute the saints of the Most High.
He will also attempt to change times and laws, and they shall be given into his power for a time, times, and half a time. However, judgment will convene, and his authority will be seized, shattered, and eradicated until the end.
Clearly, concerning the arrival of Christ and the saints, it is proclaimed that the kingdom, power, and glory of that kingdom, which encompasses all the earth, shall be bestowed upon the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom endures forever, and all leaders will serve and submit to Him. Thus, if Porphyry links what is clearly spoken of the Antichrist to Antiochus, along with the three and a half years of desolation of the temple as he claims, he must similarly associate the succeeding proclamation—that His kingdom is everlasting, and all kings will serve and obey Him—with Antiochus or, as he presumes, the Jewish people, which is evidently untenable.
The books of Maccabees (1 Macc. 4) corroborate, in agreement with Josephus, that the temple in Jerusalem was profaned for three years, during which the statue of Jupiter stood there in the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, specifically noted in the one hundred and forty-fifth year of the Macedonian kingdom, starting on Caslev in the ninth month of that year and continuing until the ninth month of the one hundred and forty-eighth year, totaling three years. However, under the reign of the Antichrist, the desolation and ruin of the holy temple will endure not three years but three and a half years, amounting to one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Once the scattering of the strength of the holy people is fulfilled, all these events will reach their completion. Whether the people of God are scattered due to persecution from Antiochus, as Porphyry suggests, or from the Antichrist, as our interpretation more accurately indicates, all these prophetic events shall indeed come to pass.
I heard from the man dressed in linen, “He who stood above the waters of the river lifted his right hand and arm towards heaven and solemnly swore by Him who lives eternally, declaring, ‘for a time, times, and half a time.’” This makes it clear that the one who communicated with the Prophet at that moment was not the Lord Himself. The Lord, as the holy Apostle affirms, “for when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, He swore by Himself” (Hebrews 6:13), declaring, “As surely as I live, says the Lord” (Isaiah 49:18). The blessed Moses also articulates His words: “I lift up My hand to heaven and swear, as I live forever” (Deuteronomy 32:40).
The being that spoke with Daniel, acting as a minister imbued with fervor for the Master, extended both hands to heaven and “swore” “by Him who lives forever.” Daniel observed that he had hands, but we understand that angels are incorporeal beings; they often assume forms appropriate to those who perceive them, sometimes appearing gentle to show their humility, and at other times presenting themselves in a more awe-inspiring manner to encourage vigilance. Thus, “they swear by Him who lives forever, in time, times, and half a time,” which signifies three and a half years. The same was stated by Saint Gabriel regarding the little horn that opposes the saints, which would rise after the ten horns at the conclusion of the Roman Empire. After saying, “He shall humble three kings and speak words against the Most High, and shall oppress the saints of the Most High,” he concluded, “and it shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time” (Dan. 7:24-25), equating to three and a half years, since Gabriel referred to that period as a year, as we will understand more clearly from what follows. This period, described as “time, times, and half a time,” will see an end to the scattering of the people of the holy ones, at which point “they will take away the daily sacrifice, and these things will conclude.” The angel indicates that the scattering of the holy people will persist for three and a half years, and all these events will be fulfilled. Afterward, the Holy One will be “taken away.” This refers to the great Elijah, who is expected to appear at the conclusion of this reign, heralding the second coming of our Savior. To this we can add, Blessed Daniel:
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS