Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

And the beast was given a mouth (the power of speech), uttering great things and arrogant and blasphemous words, and he was given freedom and authority to act and to do as he pleased for forty-two months (three and a half years).

Now it was almost time for the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles [Note: This was also called "Festival of Shelters," and was one of three principal, annual Jewish festivals and commemorated the occasion of the Israelites living in tents or shelters during their forty year wandering in the desert].

And leave out the exterior court of the temple and measure it not, for it has been given to the gentiles, and they shall tread the holy city under foot forty-two months [three years and a half].