1260 Days Literal or Symbolic?

[Laodicea]

The 1260 days are mentioned 7 times in three different ways.

Daniel 7:25
(25) 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 and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 12:7
(7) And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Revelation 12:14
(14) And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.


Revelation 11:2
(2) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Revelation 13:5
(5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Revelation 11:3
(3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Revelation 12:6
(6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Same time period expressed three different ways which covers a period of three and a half years, however James expresses it like this
James 5:17
(17) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

This is the normal way of expressing time and the way it is expressed in Daniel and Revelation is not the normal way of expressing time so therefore it is symbolic.


Please show from the Bible why you believe this time period to either literal or symbolic.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

The 1260 days are mentioned 7 times in three different ways.

Daniel 7:25
(25) 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 and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 12:7
(7) And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Revelation 12:14
(14) And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.


Revelation 11:2
(2) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Revelation 13:5
(5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Revelation 11:3
(3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Revelation 12:6
(6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Same time period expressed three different ways which covers a period of three and a half years, however James expresses it like this
James 5:17
(17) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

This is the normal way of expressing time and the way it is expressed in Daniel and Revelation is not the normal way of expressing time so therefore it is symbolic.


Please show from the Bible why you believe this time period to either literal or symbolic.

What makes the God of heaven differ from false Gods and false prophets?

The God of heaven can prophesy concerning time, and things literally happen not only exactly as God says, but on the exact time God says.

ALL Ot prophesies concerning time which have been fulfilled (even Daniels prophesy as to when Messiah would enter jerusalem) have literally been fulfilled.

Why would we think all prophesy concerning time which have not been fulfilled would be any different? God uses time to prove he is the one true god. And his prophets are real, and all others (like say nostradomus) are false because they are unable to do this.

 

[doulos]

The 1260 days are mentioned 7 times in three different ways.

Daniel 7:25
(25) 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 and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 12:7
(7) And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Revelation 12:14
(14) And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.


Revelation 11:2
(2) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Revelation 13:5
(5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Revelation 11:3
(3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Revelation 12:6
(6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Same time period expressed three different ways which covers a period of three and a half years, however James expresses it like this
James 5:17
(17) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

This is the normal way of expressing time and the way it is expressed in Daniel and Revelation is not the normal way of expressing time so therefore it is symbolic.


Please show from the Bible why you believe this time period to either literal or symbolic.

Not everyone agrees with your method of interpretations. Many Jewish and Hebrew scholars believe that time, times and a half actually represent two and a half times as the following verse from a free online Tanach demonstrates.
Dan12:7 And I heard the man clad in linen, who was above the waters of the river, and he raised his right hand and his left hand to the heavens, and he swore by the Life of the world, that in the time of [two] times and a half, and when they have ended shattering the strength of the holy people, all these will end.
Also not everyone agrees that the 1260 days and 42 months are the same time periods. To John a year was 365 ¼ days so 42 months would be 1278.37 days not 1260. (365 ¼ divided by 12 = 30.43 30.43 x 42 = 1278.37)

Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not;
for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty
and two months.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

I find it interesting that in your interpretation you use a 360 day year to justify saying the 42 months from verse 2 equals 1260 days but then for the very next verse you use 365 ¼ day years saying the 1260 days were fulfilled between 538 and 1798. Can you explain why use a 360 day year for verse 2 but then use 365 ¼ day year for verse 3? Isn’t that rather inconsistent?

 

[Avinu]

The 1260 days are mentioned 7 times in three different ways.

Daniel 7:25
(25) 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 and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 12:7
(7) And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Revelation 12:14
(14) And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.


Revelation 11:2
(2) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Revelation 13:5
(5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Revelation 11:3
(3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Revelation 12:6
(6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Same time period expressed three different ways which covers a period of three and a half years, however James expresses it like this
James 5:17
(17) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

This is the normal way of expressing time and the way it is expressed in Daniel and Revelation is not the normal way of expressing time so therefore it is symbolic.


Please show from the Bible why you believe this time period to either literal or symbolic.

To claim the 1260 days to be symbolic means to claim the 3.5 yr. tribulation also symbolic, and anti-christs reign symbolic. which these verses are speaking of except for the one where a remnant will be kept safe for that same period of time.

There is absolutely no logic physically or spiritually for all this to be symbolic. Because if it were as you say, then there is no out come from any of it. It would be like someone just threw a bunch of tacs into the mix, it makes no sense.

Also when scripture says that this world will see a time of tribulation that it has never seen since the beginning nor will ever see again. And since this is talking about that 3.5 yr. time, if this is symbolic too, then what's the purpose of saying this? Even in our finite minds, their is no logic or understanding to this. If this is all symbolic and none of this is going to happen, then why all the detail. It doesn't fit will everything else said in scripture.

My friend, this is all literal, fully and completely. And we are all going to be here to see it. Shalom

 

[eternally-gratefull]

To claim the 1260 days to be symbolic means to claim the 3.5 yr. tribulation also symbolic, and anti-christs reign symbolic. which these verses are speaking of except for the one where a remnant will be kept safe for that same period of time.

There is absolutely no logic physically or spiritually for all this to be symbolic. Because if it were as you say, then there is no out come from any of it. It would be like someone just threw a bunch of tacs into the mix, it makes no sense.

Also when scripture says that this world will see a time of tribulation that it has never seen since the beginning nor will ever see again. And since this is talking about that 3.5 yr. time, if this is symbolic too, then what's the purpose of saying this? Even in our finite minds, their is no logic or understanding to this. If this is all symbolic and none of this is going to happen, then why all the detail. It doesn't fit will everything else said in scripture.

My friend, this is all literal, fully and completely. And we are all going to be here to see it. Shalom

Just think, If pre-trib is not true. (I am not getting into that debate) and we all will go through this time frame. What hope would we have if we did not know that it would only happen for this time period. If it is symbolic and could last forever. There would be very little hope for those who follow God. At least with literal translation. we know there will be an end, And the end will be the return of our savior. It would definately be easier to "endure to the end" as Christ said.

 

[Avinu]

Just think, If pre-trib is not true. (I am not getting into that debate) and we all will go through this time frame. What hope would we have if we did not know that it would only happen for this time period. If it is symbolic and could last forever. There would be very little hope for those who follow God. At least with literal translation. we know there will be an end, And the end will be the return of our savior. It would definately be easier to "endure to the end" as Christ said.

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THAT is a big AMEN my friend.

 

[Laodicea]

So far I have not seen any Biblical reasons as to why the 1260 days should be literal and not symbolic. Here are some more reasons as to why the 1260 days are symbolic.

Let us look at Daniel 7.

Daniel 7 is a symbolic prophecy with a literal meaning, for example there are 4 beasts which are symbolic.

Daniel 7:17
(17) These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Daniel 7:23
(23) Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.


These 4 symbolic beasts represent 4 literal kings or kingdoms.

Daniel 7:24
(24) And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

The 10 horns are symbolic of 10 literal kings or kingdoms. The little horn with the eyes of a man is also symbolic of a literal power.

In the midst of this symbolic prophecy we have this verse.
Daniel 7:25
(25) 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 and times and the dividing of time.

Because there are so many symbols in this chapter then the time, times and the dividing of time is also symbolic. Whatever is symbolic the Bible will always tell us what it is symbolic for.
Ezekiel 4:6
(6) And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.

The time, times and the dividing of time which is three and a half years then becomes 1260 years since each day is symbolic for a literal year.

 

[peterT]

The 1260 days are mentioned 7 times in three different ways.

Daniel 7:25
(25) 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 and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 12:7
(7) And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Revelation 12:14
(14) And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.


Revelation 11:2
(2) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Revelation 13:5
(5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Revelation 11:3
(3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Revelation 12:6
(6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Same time period expressed three different ways which covers a period of three and a half years, however James expresses it like this
James 5:17
(17) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

This is the normal way of expressing time and the way it is expressed in Daniel and Revelation is not the normal way of expressing time so therefore it is symbolic.


Please show from the Bible why you believe this time period to either literal or symbolic.

God is trying to help, us encourage us, and help us keep the faith by letting us know the time paired and how long it will last approximately 3 ½ years or 1260 days or 42 months.

1260 Days Literal

 

[eternally-gratefull]

So far I have not seen any Biblical reasons as to why the 1260 days should be literal and not symbolic. Here are some more reasons as to why the 1260 days are symbolic.

Let us look at Daniel 7.

Daniel 7 is a symbolic prophecy with a literal meaning, for example there are 4 beasts which are symbolic.

Daniel 7:17
(17) These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Daniel 7:23
(23) Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.


These 4 symbolic beasts represent 4 literal kings or kingdoms.

Daniel 7:24
(24) And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

The 10 horns are symbolic of 10 literal kings or kingdoms. The little horn with the eyes of a man is also symbolic of a literal power.

In the midst of this symbolic prophecy we have this verse.
Daniel 7:25
(25) 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 and times and the dividing of time.

Because there are so many symbols in this chapter then the time, times and the dividing of time is also symbolic. Whatever is symbolic the Bible will always tell us what it is symbolic for.
Ezekiel 4:6
(6) And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.

The time, times and the dividing of time which is three and a half years then becomes 1260 years since each day is symbolic for a literal year.

So far I have not seen any biblical proof that they are not literal days

 

[Therapon]

The 1260 days are mentioned 7 times in three different ways.

Daniel 7:25
(25) 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 and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 12:7
(7) And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Revelation 12:14
(14) And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.


Revelation 11:2
(2) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Revelation 13:5
(5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Revelation 11:3
(3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Revelation 12:6
(6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Same time period expressed three different ways which covers a period of three and a half years, however James expresses it like this
James 5:17
(17) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

This is the normal way of expressing time and the way it is expressed in Daniel and Revelation is not the normal way of expressing time so therefore it is symbolic.


Please show from the Bible why you believe this time period to either literal or symbolic.

Scripture defines Scripture. If the Lord gives us a definition for prophetic days, that definition stands forever, period! Unless the Lord changes the defilition later in Scripture. It is not up to man to arbitrarily decide what prophetic days represent . . .

Ezekiel 4:5-6 "For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year."

So from the above verses, prophetic days represent years because the Bible says so, and that includes the prophetic days in Revelation.

 

[doulos]

While I do agree that in prophetic language a day is a year, I also recognize that we must look through the eyes of the prophet who gave the prophecy. So in the case of Daniel’s prophecies we must use a 360 day year because that is how Daniel would have viewed a year. But in the case of the prophecies given to John a year was 365 ¼ days so we must use years based on 365 ¼ days for the prophecies given by John. (to gain a better understanding of my view see A day is a year thread at http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/39070-day-year-prophecy.html ) In addition I believe the Jewish and Hebrew scholars that say a time, times and a half is 2 ½ times, not 3 ½ days are correct.

I also believe it is incorrect to use a 360 day year to say 42 months is 1260 days but then use 365 1/4 day years to show where the 1260 days have been fulfilled.

 

[loveme1]

Scripture defines Scripture. If the Lord gives us a definition for prophetic days, that definition stands forever, period! Unless the Lord changes the defilition later in Scripture. It is not up to man to arbitrarily decide what prophetic days represent . . .

Ezekiel 4:5-6 "For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year."

So from the above verses, prophetic days represent years because the Bible says so, and that includes the prophetic days in Revelation.

No, you say the Bible says so............................................

From the above verse Yahvah God wanted Ezekiel to bare the iniquity of Israel- one day for each year..........

And then forty days for Judah's iniquity. No where does this say that all Prophecy's will follow this method.

You take this commandment out of context to suit your own interpretation.

 

[Laodicea]

No, you say the Bible says so............................................

From the above verse Yahvah God wanted Ezekiel to bare the iniquity of Israel- one day for each year..........

And then forty days for Judah's iniquity. No where does this say that all Prophecy's will follow this method.

You take this commandment out of context to suit your own interpretation.

Ezekiel 4 is symbolic prophecy so the time period is also symbolic. Daniel 7 is also symbolic Prophecy so the time period mentioned there is also symbolic.

 

[loveme1]

Ezekiel 4 is symbolic prophecy so the time period is also symbolic. Daniel 7 is also symbolic Prophecy so the time period mentioned there is also symbolic.

You will note that Yahvah God gave the instruction and the explanation of what each day represented with in the Ezekiel verse.

Please then show this explanation mentioned in Daniel?

Where is the explanation, to say that each day represented a year?

There is no explanation, because the day was meant to be interpreted as a day.


So even when ALmighty Yahvah God uses a day to mean a year, he gives us an explanation to help us understand.

Did he decide to confuse us all, by using day and not year? mmmmmmm no, I think not, only man would confuse us.....

 

[Laodicea]

Daniel 7 does not tell us who the Lion is but Jeremiah 4:7 tells us the Lion is Babylon. Your reasoning of explaining the Bible is not correct, we are to use all the Bible to explain the Bible.

 

[loveme1]

Daniel 7 does not tell us who the Lion is but Jeremiah 4:7 tells us the Lion is Babylon. Your reasoning of explaining the Bible is not correct, we are to use all the Bible to explain the Bible.

We receive understanding...

We read the Bible to receive understanding from the Holy spirit.

You failed to offer the verse from Daniel to support your symbolic view?

You can say I am incorrect all day long, but you have had to assume Yahvah God meant something in one place because he used it in another part for your view to stand.

I will not second guess anything, and what do i lose?

The Messiah will come in such a way that there will be no mistake..........

The only thing that can come out of this teaching is people accepting the deception..........

If my foundation is Almighty Yahvah God and Yahshua the Messiah.

What fear do i have?


But if you are incorrect and teach others this, you may well be preparing people to be deceived.................

So, what is the point of this teaching?

That is what I don't understand, why is it so important to make those days years and not days?

What can be done, if we believe the days were years?

From where I am sitting, it will benefit the anti-christ to come in and deceive those that believe due to being taught it meant years and not days.

Anyone that does not come the way the Bible says is not going to deceive me, I will put my Faith in Almighty Yahvah God and Yahshua the Messiah.

An all loving merciful Yahvah God is not gonna judge me for only trusting him.

Is that not what he wants us to do throughout the Bible?

Yahshua the Messiah will return just like the Bible says, you start ignoring scripture in favour of man and you will be lead up the garden path by that man.


So, i say to all make your foundation ALmighty Yahvah God and Yahshua the Messiah, read the Bible and ask for understanding.
Hold fast to that even in the face of death, and you will do well.

Think of this, would Eve of eaten the fruit if she was not tempted to by the devil?

Would Eve of continued to obey Yahvah God if the serpent did not tempt her?

We are in the same dilemma as Eve, do we listen to ALmighty Yahvah God or will we be tempted by a man into following his view?

 

[Laodicea]

Answer a simple question, is Daniel 7 a literal or symbolic prophecy?

 

[loveme1]

Answer a simple question, is Daniel 7 a literal or symbolic prophecy?

It is a literal Prophecy using symbols to represent evil forces.

That does not equate to using a day to mean a year.

Something symbolic of a year would be , from one winter to the next winter.

And something symbolic to represent a day would be from one sunset to the next sunset.

 

[Therapon]

No, you say the Bible says so............................................

From the above verse Yahvah God wanted Ezekiel to bare the iniquity of Israel- one day for each year..........

And then forty days for Judah's iniquity. No where does this say that all Prophecy's will follow this method.

You take this commandment out of context to suit your own interpretation.

The Bible has only one author and God changes not. If God needed to say "Let there be light" only once and it was so, in the same way, God only needs to show us prophetic days are years, once, for that principle to stand throughout all time.

If prophetic days are not years, please show me chapter and verse in the Bible that does away with the principle.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

The Bible has only one author and God changes not. If God needed to say "Let there be light" only once and it was so, in the same way, God only needs to show us prophetic days are years, once, for that principle to stand throughout all time.

If prophetic days are not years, please show me chapter and verse in the Bible that does away with the principle.

What principle, is all prophetic days interpreted as years?

Did God prophesy that it would rain for 40 years, not literal days?

Prophesy must be interpreted

1. In context
2. As the person who was given the prophesy would have interpreted it
3. As the people to whom the prophesy was given would interpret it.

If God came to you and prophesied that some beast (figurative language would ensare you for 49 days, and then you would be realeased from its power. would you interpret him to mean 49 days, or 49 years? or would you take the 49 days as symbolic? and interpret him to mean some amount of time, but have NO CLUE how many days or years this is? (as laodicea wants us to do)

why not take God at his word, and he means 49 days, if he meant years why would he not say 7 weeks, as was custom in hebrew language?, and even then, a week could mean a literal week, or a time period of 7 sevens or 49 years.

Just because the beast is symbolic of something real, does not mean the time period should be symbolic either.