Rev 12:1-17.
  Satan's Losing Battle.

American Journal of Biblical Theology
Copyright © 2007, J.W. Carter     Scripture quotes from KJV

The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

John’s contemporary church is very familiar with the concept of being cared for in the desert. Following the exodus out of Egypt, God cared for the wandering nation as he led them to the promised land. The period of 1260 days, or “time, times, and half a time” (Revelation 12:14), is a Hebrew idiom that refers to a period of three and one-half years, half of seven. This also refers to a period of time that will be comparatively short, and will end before God completes His purpose. During this time, God will care for her. The first-century church considered its own experience of persecution as taking place during this time. Though the church is still experiencing difficulties, God is taking care of it Consequently, any argue that we are still in that 1,260 days today. The point of the idiom is that this period will not last forever, and it will end before God has fully completed His purpose for it.