They based this on Daniel’s prophecy about a large tree that was cut down and would grow again after “seven times. ”
وَهٰذَا مَا حَدَثَ فِي تِشْرِينَ ٱلْأَوَّلِ (‏ أُكْتُوبِر )‏ مِنْ سَنَةِ ١٩١٤ وَوَسَمَ بِدَايَةَ « ٱلْأَيَّامِ ٱلْأَخِيرَةِ » لِنِظَامِ ٱلشَّيْطَانِ ٱلشِّرِّيرِ .‏ —‏ ٢ تي ٣ :‏ ١‏ .‏