By Beth Mehaffey
The Secret of the 1260 Days
 Is hidden in the Feasts of the Lord and the Metonic
Cycle.
 Understanding the significance of the feasts and using
the Metonic Cycle can help us determine a possible
date for Christ’s return.
 This will fulfill Daniel 12:9-10: “And he said, "Go your
way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till
the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made
white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly;
and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise
shall understand.” NKJV
Feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23)
 The Spring Feasts take place between Nissan and Sivan.
 Passover = Preparation Day (Pesach)
 Feast of Unleavened Bread (Hag HaMatzot)
 Feast of Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim)
 Feast of Weeks/Counting the Omer/Pentecost (Hag Shavuot)
 The Fall Feasts take place in Tishrei.
 Day of Trumpets (Yom Teruah)
 Day of Atonements (Yom HaKippurim)
 Feast of Tabernacles (Hag Sukkot)
 8th Day Assembly (Shemini Atzeret)
Spring Feasts
 Jesus ate His last meal (also known as the Lord’s
Supper) with His disciples in the evening as Nissan 13th
became the 14th.
 As they shared this meal, Jesus used the traditional
Jewish marriage customs of the day to establish the
New Covenant.
 This meal was celebrated similar to the Passover Seder
which would celebrated by the Jews the following
evening on Nissan 15th when the Feast of Unleavened
Bread officially began (John 18:28).
Spring Feasts
 Jesus, our Passover Lamb was hung on the cross at 9am
and died at 3pm on Passover.
 These were the times of the usual morning and evening
sacrifice.
 Jesus was buried just before sundown as Nissan 14th
became Nissan 15th which is the first day of the Feast of
Unleavened Bread.
 See John 19:31, Luke 23:54, Mark 15:42.
Spring Feasts
 The first and seventh days of the Feast of Unleavened
Bread are known as High Sabbaths.
 In Leviticus 23:11, the Hebrews were commanded to
offer firstfruits from the barley harvest on the day after
the Sabbath.
 BUT, there is a difference of opinion as to which Sabbath
is referred to here.
 It is either the day after the first High Sabbath of
Unleavened Bread or after the regular weekly Sabbath.
Spring Feasts
 English versions of Matthew 28:1 indicate the women
went to see the tomb after the Sabbath (singular) as
the day of the week was dawning but Jesus’ body was
missing.
 Actually, the Greek New Testament indicates they
went to Jesus’ tomb after the Sabbaths (plural).
 This would have been after both the first High Sabbath
of Unleavened Bread and the weekly Sabbath.
Spring Feasts
 Therefore, Jesus most likely died and was buried on
Wednesday (Nissan 14th) right before sundown and
rose from the dead on Saturday evening (Nissan 17th)
right after sundown which was technically Sunday
(Nissan 18th).
 1 Corinthians 15:20 indicates Jesus is the firstfruits of
those who have died.
 This allows for 3 full days and nights in the grave.
Spring Feasts
 Please see a discussion on the various methods of
Counting of the Omer from Torah Resource.
 http://torahresource.com/ArticlesEnglish.html
 If this is article is too technical for you to process, please
go to the end of the article for the summary.
 Since Jesus’ death also fulfills elements from the Day of
Atonement, the fact He was firstfruits from the dead
doesn’t necessarily confirm the correct day to celebrate
the Feast of Firstfruits.
Spring Feasts
 Traditionally, the Feast of Weeks/Counting the Omer
(Hag Shavuot) is when God spoke the Ten
Commandments to His people so that He could
eventually dwell among them.
 On the day of Pentecost (Greek for Hag Shavuot), the
Holy Spirit came to dwell within all believers (Acts 2:14).
 Hag Shavuot is the fulfillment of the firstfruits of the
wheat harvest (Act 2:41, Acts 10:45-46).
Feasts of the Lord
 Since Jesus fulfilled the spring feasts with such
precision, it makes sense to believe that He will fulfill
the significance of the fall feasts in like manner.
 This will most likely take place in a year of Jubilee in
order to fulfill the typology of the feasts.
 It is interesting to note that the Counting of the Omer
and Jubilee follow a similar pattern:
 Counting the Omer: 7 weeks of 7 days plus 1 day = 50
days.
 Jubilee: 7 weeks of 7 years (shavuiym) plus one year = 50
years.
Feasts of the Lord
 Both the Counting of the Omer and Jubilee represent a
time when God dwells with His people:
 Counting the Omer (Pentecost): The Holy Spirit dwells
within the hearts of believers.
 Jubilee: Jesus will physically dwell on earth in Jerusalem
with His people.
The Wise Will Understand
 Since the timing of Jubilee is currently debatable, we’ll
need to consider a few verses to see if we can get a
correct year.
 Why? I think God expects us to figure it out.
 Daniel 12:9-10 says, “And he said, "Go your way, Daniel,
for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of
the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and
refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of
the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall
understand.” NKJV
The Wise Will Understand
 God expected His people to understand the 70 weeks
of Daniel and to know when to expect the Messiah
when He came the first time. Unfortunately, many
people missed it.
 Likewise, God expects us to know when He’ll be
coming in the future.
 This understanding will come as knowledge increases
and will be based on world events, other prophecies in
the Bible, and a little help from the Metonic Cycle.
The Day of the Lord
 BUT what about Mark 13:32-33?
 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the
angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take
heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the
time is.” NKJV
The Day of the Lord
 Well, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 says, “But concerning the
times and the seasons (moedim = feasts), brethren,
you have no need that I should write to you. For you
yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
comes as a thief in the night. For when they say,
"Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes
upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.
And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not
in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a
thief.” NKJV
The Day of the Lord
 Jesus did not know the year or exact day He would
return but He certainly knew the season (moed =
feast, appointed time) because in Matthew 24:31, Jesus
said, “And He will send His angels with a great sound
of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect
from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the
other.” NKJV
 The Jews have always understood this to be the Day of
Trumpets (Yom Teruah).
The Day of the Lord
 Can we figure out the day of the Lord’s return?
 We’re not attempting to prophesy, we’re just trying to
understand this as God expects us to…
 Remember, the primary reason we can’t know for sure
is because the Day of Trumpets is dependent on the
appearance of the new moon.
 This marked the beginning of the new calendar year.
 We need to understand the Metonic Cycle in order to
determine the exact day.
70 Weeks of Daniel
 Recall from Daniel 9:24 that a total of seventy weeks
had been decreed for God’s people.
 These “70 weeks” were divided into 7 shavuiym, 62
shavuiym, and 1 last shavuah.
 The Hebrew word for “weeks” is shavuiym (plural) or
shavuah (singular).
 A shavuah is specifically a period of seven years.
 This is not some kind of prophetic or Biblical time as
some prophecy buffs suggest.
70 Weeks of Daniel
 Not all of the 70 weeks (shavuiym) have been fulfilled
yet.
 Those who study prophecy often try to figure out the
details of 70th week (the final shavuah) of Daniel 9:27.
 Everyone agrees it is the last 7 years prior to Christ’s
return and the last 3 ½ years (1260 days)is known as a
period of great tribulation but many base that on a 360
day year which I believe is an incorrect approach.
 The Metonic Cycle is critical to understanding the
timing of the final shavuah.
Metonic Cycle
 Originally, God planned for His people to monitor the
changing of the months by the sighting of the new moon.
 The sighting of the new moon is important because it
insures the feasts of the Lord are celebrated on the correct
days of the year and will signal the exact day of Christ’s
return.
 As God’s people were spread throughout the world, it
became impossible for everyone to know when the sighting
of the new moon took place in Israel. They had to figure
out a way to make is easy to predict the appearance of the
new moon for those in the diaspora.
Metonic Cycle
 “The Hebrew calendar has evolved over time. For example,
until the Tannatic period, the months were set by
observation of a new crescent moon, with an additional
month added every two or three years to keep Passover in
the spring, again based on observation of natural events,
namely the ripening of barley to reach the stage of "aviv"
(nearly ripened crop). Through the Amoraic period and
into the Geonic period, this system was displaced by
mathematical rules. The principles and rules appear to
have been settled by the time Maimonides compiled the
Mishneh Torah.”
 See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_calendar
Metonic Cycle
 Based on the 7 days of creation, the Jews believe that
God has assigned man to have 6000 years -- one for
each of the first 6 days of creation plus a final 7th
millennium when the Messiah will rule over the world.
 This pattern is similar to man having a lifespan of 120
years (Gen. 6:3) or mankind having 120 Jubilees (120 X
50 Jubilee cycles = 6000 years).
 2 Peter 3:8-9 says, “But, beloved, do not forget this one
thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand
years, and a thousand years as one day.” NKJV
Metonic Cycle
 According to the Jewish Calendar which was created
by the Jews, the Hebrew year for 5772 begins
September 29, 2011.
 The year 5772 is not very close to 6000 years; however,
world events seem to be leading up to the final
shavuah.
 Could the number of years of the Hebrew calendar be
incorrect?
Metonic Cycle
 According to J. R. Church of Prophecy In the News, it
is.
 For now, just remember that there are 243 missing
years in the Hebrew calendar.
 For a full explanation of the 243 missing years, please
see :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hcg4hB8mvY
 You can also read his book entitled Daniel Reveals the
Bloodline of the Antichrist. This book is also discussed
in their program archive at
http://www.prophecyinthenews.com
Metonic Cycle
 Keep in mind:
 The sighting of the crescent new moon signals the
beginning of the first day of every month, the first day of
the year and thereby the count of the dates of the holy
days. This is why no one could know for sure the day or
the hour of Christ’s return.
 Two or three witnesses are required to confirm the
presence of the crescent new moon in Jerusalem.
 A calendar day actually begins at sundown and changes
to the next calendar day when the sun goes down the
following day.
Metonic Cycle
 The Hebrew calendar used today is based on a 19 year
cycle called the Metonic cycle.
 The Hebrew calendar normally has 12 months each
year but sometimes it is necessary to add a 13th month
(an embolismic month called Adar II) if the barley is
not ripe.
 This ensures that Passover is always celebrated
correctly in the month of Nissan when the barley is
ripe (in the state of “Aviv” or “Abib”).
 The full moon which marks the beginning of Nissan
must come after the spring (vernal) equinox.
Metonic Cycle
 An embolismic month (Adar II) takes place 7 times in
the 19-year Metonic cycle.
 Adar II is added in the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 11th, 14th, 17th and 19th
years of the Metonic cycle.
 This pattern is sometimes described as: 3, 3, 3, 2, 3, 3,
2.
Metonic Cycle
 It is possible to determine which years in the past and in
the future had/will have an embolismic month (30
intercalary days); however, Hebrew date converters which
convert Gregorian calendar dates (that we use) to Hebrew
dates warn us that results for year 1752 C.E. and before may
not be accurate when calculating date conversions.
 Hebrew date converters found on the internet are an
important tool for those interested in prophecy and in
celebrating the feasts of the Lord because Gregorian dates
calculated from Hebrew dates vary from year to year.
Metonic Cycle
 Originally, the months of the year were numbered like
the days of the week but eventually they were given
names while the Jews were living in Babylon.
 Tishrei begins the civil calendar year which is when
the number of the year changes.
 Nissan begins the religious calendar year which begins
the counting of the months of the year for the feasts of
the Lord (Ex.12:2).
Metonic Cycle
 The months of the Jewish year are:
 Tishrei (30 days)
 Cheshvan (29 or 30 days)
 Kislev (29 or 30 days)
 Tevet (29 days)
 Shevat (30 days)
 Adar I (29 or 30 days)
 Adar II (29 days)
 Nissan (30 days)
 Iyar (29 days)
 Sivan (30 days)
 Tamuz (29 days)
 Av (30 days)
 Elul (29 days)
Metonic Cycle
 Due to the variation of the number of days in
Cheshvan, Kislev, Adar I, the possible presence of Adar
II, there can be either 354, 355, 356, 383, or 384 days in
a Jewish year.
 Remember, the times and seasons of Daniel center
around the feasts of the Lord because they are His
appointed times and we’ll soon see how the Metonic
Cycle fits into all this.
Metonic Cycle
 Within the 19 year Metonic Cycle, a shavuah (7 year
period) can be either 86 moons (months) or 87 moons
(months).
 For the timing of the Feasts of the Lord to be fulfilled
correctly, we’re looking for a shavuah with 86 moons.
Metonic Cycle
 The following 7 year spans have 86 moons:
 2011-2017 (2013 and 2015 have embolismic months)
 2014-2020 (2015 and 2018 have embolismic months)
 2016-2022 (2018 and 2021 have embolismic months)
 2019-2025 (2021 and 2023 have embolismic months)
 2022-2028 (2023 and 2026 have embolismic months)
 2024-2030 (2026 and 2029 have embolismic months)
 2025-2031 (2026 and 2029 have embolismic months)
 2027-2033 (2029 and 2032 have embolismic months)
Metonic Cycle
 Can any of these shavuiym be the one we’re interested
in?
 Remember, the last shavuah should also end in a year
of Jubilee.
 But when was the last Jubilee mentioned in the Bible?
Metonic Cycle
 Before we can discuss that, we must understand that the
Jews had a set schedule for the reading of Torah portions
(Genesis through Deuteronomy) and Haftarah (Prophetic)
portions of Scripture in the synagogues.
 Synagogues still follow either a 1 or 3 year reading cycle of
Torah and Haftarah portions of Scripture today.
 In addition, certain portions of Scriptures are read on their
corresponding holy day.
 See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah_reading#Origins_and_
history_of_the_practice for more details.
Metonic Cycle
 In Luke 4:17-19, Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2a in the
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synagogue in Nazareth. He said He had fulfilled this
passage of Scripture as He read it.
Jesus read this passage from Isaiah at the beginning of
His ministry – right after His baptism and time of
temptation.
In other words, Jesus announced the last Jubilee
recorded in the Bible.
BUT, He did not say He fulfilled verse 2b.
Let’s see what it says…
Metonic Cycle
 Isaiah 61:1-2 says, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings
to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To
proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the
prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable
year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God…”
NKJV
 This day of vengeance of our God is also known as the “Day
of the Lord” or the day of the Lord’s return.
 The reason He didn’t finish reading that verse that day was
because He is going to fulfill the rest of verse 2 when He
returns in a future year of Jubilee!
Metonic Cycle
 The question we need to ask is:
 “What year was it when Jesus read the Haftarah
(prophetic) portion of Isaiah in the synagogue that day?”
Metonic Cycle
 Luke 3:1-3 gives us a clue:
 “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius
Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod
being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of
Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias
tetrarch of Abilene, while Annas and Caiaphas were high
priests, the word of God came to John the son of
Zacharias in the wilderness.” NKJV
Metonic Cycle
 This was in the fall of 28 C.E. because according to
Luke 3:1-3, John the Baptist began his ministry in the
15th year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign.
 Tiberius Caesar’s reign began on the 19th of August in
14 C.E. so the 15th year was 28 C.E.
 Jesus began his ministry later that same year.
Metonic Cycle
 If Jesus’ ministry began in 28 C.E. around the Feast of
Tabernacles and ended in 32 C.E. at Passover, His
ministry would’ve lasted 3 ½ years.
 Remember, Jubilee takes place every 50 years (Lev.
25:10).
 Since Jesus announced Jubilee at the beginning of His
ministry in 28 C. E., September 16, 2021 – September
30, 2028 seems to be the most likely 7 year span for the
last shavuah.
 This of course will be dependent on current events.
Metonic Cycle
 The Jewish year usually begins in September or October on
the Gregorian calendar.
 This is a list of the number of days in the following Hebrew
calendar years:
 Jewish year 5782 (Gregorian Year 2021-22): 355
 Jewish year 5783 (Gregorian Year 2022-23): 354
 Jewish year 5784 (Gregorian Year 2023-24): 384
 Jewish year 5785 (Gregorian Year 2024-25): 355
 Jewish year 5786 (Gregorian Year 2025-26): 355
 Jewish year 5787 (Gregorian Year 2026-27): 383
 Jewish year 5788 (Gregorian Year 2027-28): 355
Metonic Cycle
What to Expect On The Hebraic Calendar
Peace Treaty
Tishrei 1, 5782
Abomination of Desolation
Nissan 11 – 19, 5785
Jesus’ Return on Day of
Tishrei 1, 5789
Trumpets
Announcement of Jubilee on Tishrei 10, 5789
Day of Atonements
Tabernacles
Tishrei 15 – 21, 5789
8th Day Assembly
Tishrei 22, 5789
Metonic Cycle
 We can use a Hebrew date converter to transform
these dates to our Gregorian Calendar.
Metonic Cycle
What to Expect on The Gregorian Calendar
Peace Treaty
Tuesday
September 7, 2021
Abomination of
Desolation
Wednesday…Thursday
April 9 - 17, 2025
Jesus’ Return on Day of Thursday
Trumpets
September 21, 2028
Announcement of
Jubilee on Day of
Atonements
Saturday
September 30,2028
Tabernacles
Thursday…Wednesday
October 5 - 11, 2028
8th Day Assembly
Thursday
October 12, 2028
Metonic Cycle
 The abomination of desolation should be set up in the
coming future temple (which is described in Ezekiel)
during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
 This future temple will be built in troublesome times
like when it was built in Ezra and Nehemiah’s time
(Dan. 7:25).
Metonic Cycle
 In the fall of 2028, 2000 years will have passed by since
Jesus announced Jubilee.
 Obviously, between 28 C. E. and 2028 C. E. there are
120 multiples of 50 years.
 That number should be expected based on our previous
discussion about the pattern of man having a lifespan of
120 years (Gen. 6:3) and mankind having 120 Jubilees
(120 X 50 Jubilee cycles = 6000 years).
Metonic Cycle
 Now you might be thinking about the last shavuah as



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having 86 moons…
You may be tempted to divide 86 by 2 to find the middle of
the shavuah. Which would be43 months instead of 42
months. You would think my theory is wrong.
But we’re not talking about full months. We’re talking
about the appearance of the new moon.
There are exactly 44 appearances of the new moon in the
first half of the shavuah including Nissan’s in 5785.
There are exactly 42 months in the latter half of the
shavuah which is the timing given in Revelation 11:2; 13:5.
Metonic Cycle
 There are 1290 days from the beginning of the Tishrei
1, 5782 through Nissan 19, 5785.
 Daniel 12:11 says, “From the time the regular burnt
offering is taken away and the abomination that causes
desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.” CJB
 Dan 9:27 says, “He will make a strong covenant with
leaders for one week [of years]. For half of the week he
will put a stop to the sacrifice and the grain offering. On
the wing of detestable things the desolator will come
and continue until the already decreed destruction is
poured out on the desolator.” CJB
Metonic Cycle
 There are 1335 days from the beginning of Tishrei 1,
5782 through Sivan 5, 5788 (49th day of the Omer;
Daniel 12:12).
 The following day should be Sivan 6, 5788 which is
Shavuot (Pentecost). This is if the Omer is counted
from the day after the first High Sabbath of Unleavened
Bread (Passover).
 Daniel 12:12 says, “How blessed will be anyone who waits
and arrives at the 1,335 days.” CJB
Metonic Cycle
 There are 1260 days from Nissan 11, 5785 until Elul 29,
5788.
 The following day should be Tishrei 1, 5789 when Christ
is expected to return.
 This period of time is also referred to as “42 months” or
“time, times, and half a time.”
 It is the time when the saints will be handed over to the
Beast.
Metonic Cycle
 Considering the 10 day period between the time
Antiochus IV Epiphanes set up the statue of Zeus in
the Temple on Kislev 15th and slaughtered a pig on the
altar on Kislev 25th, it is likely the Abomination of
Desolation will be setup and dedicated with an animal
sacrifice by the end of the 9 day period of overlap of
the 1290 and 1260 days (Nissan 11-19, 5785).
Metonic Cycle
 If all of this speculation is not correct, Jesus must still
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return in a year of Jubilee and world events must be
fulfilled according to other portions of prophecy.
Do not worry if Jesus seems delayed in coming and don’t let
it be an excuse for apostasy.
Remember, there is an appointed day and time for
everything.
Keep looking for the fulfillment of prophecy to take place
because Jesus won’t come until certain events take place.
Remain faithful, watch, and be ready!
Having said that, let’s move on.
Metonic Cycle
 Are there any reasons why this can’t be possible?
 Don’t be afraid to analyze this and be critical.
 Remember, if God wanted Daniel to know and
understand the timing of the 70 weeks (shavuiym),
God wants us to eventually understand this correctly
too (Daniel 9:25).
Metonic Cycle
 When the 70 weeks are complete, the 1260 days of great
tribulation will be completed and soon thereafter, all of the
following will finally be accomplished:
 The transgression will be finished.
 There will be an end of sins.
 Reconciliation will be made for iniquity.
 Everlasting righteousness will be brought in.
 Vision and prophecy will be sealed up.
 The Most Holy will be anointed.
Fall Feasts
 In Summary:
 The Day of Trumpets should be the time of the Lord’s return
in a year of Jubilee.
 The Day of Atonements should be a day of judgment for
God’s enemies—those who practice lawlessness. In addition,
Jubilee will be announced for God’s people.
 The Feast of Tabernacles will be when God will dwell (yashav
= to dwell, to marry) with His people. Based on the meanings
of yashav, this should also be the time of the Marriage Supper
of the Lamb.
 Shemini Atzeret (8th Day Assembly) will mark the beginning
of a new life with Christ just as the 8th day of the week is the
beginning of a new week.