Throughout the Bible, the references; time, times and an half (3 ½ years), a thousand two hundred and ninety days (3 ½ years), forty and two months (3 ½ years), and a thousand two hundred and threescore days (3 ½ years), are used to refer to a three and a half year time period, wherein the righteous (the people of God) are persecuted and killed, see Daniel 7:21, 25, Daniel 12:11, Revelation 13:5-7 and Revelation 11:3, 7. This time period is also known as The Great Tribulation, see Matthew 24:21. Christ explains that The Great Tribulation time period will be cut short, and immediately after it, the elect will be delivered, see Matthew 24:22, 29-31 and Daniel 12:1.