Conclusion of1914--A SIGNIFICANT YEAR IN BIBLE PROPHECY

In the Bible, trees are sometimes used to represent rulership. (Ezekiel 17:22-24)  So the chopping down of the symbolic tree represents how God's rulership, as expressed through the kings at Jerusalem, would be interrupted. However,  the visions served notice that this 'trampling of Jerusalem' would  be temporary-a period of "seven times"  How long a period is that?

Revelation 12:6, 14 indicates that three and a half times equal "1,260 days."   "Seven  times" would therefore last twice as long, or 2,520 days.  But the Gentile nations did not stop 'trampling' on God's rulership a mere 2,520 days after Jerusalem's fall. Evidently, then, this prophecy covers a much longer period of time.  On the basis of number 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6, which speak of "a day for a year," the seven times would cover over 2,520 years. 

The 2,520 years began in October 607 B.C.E., when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians and the Davidic king was taken off his throne.  The period ended in October 1914.  At that time, "the appointed times of the nations" ended, and Jesus Christ was installed as God's heavenly King. -Psalm 2:1-6; Daniel 7:13, 14. 

Just as Jesus predicted, his "presence" as heavenly King has been marked by dramatic wold developments -war, famine, earthquakes, pestilences. (Matthew 24:3-8; Luke 21:11) Such developments bear powerful testimony to the fact that 1914 indeed marked the birth of God's heavenly Kingdom and the beginning of "the last days" of this present wicked system of things. -2 Timothy 3:1-5.  

Next time: Identifying "Babylon the Great"

From the jw.org publications