A Covenant Confirmed

   Recent events have given me the goose-bumps.  To register their significance, we need to consider the covenant – what covenant?  Glad you asked!

   In verse 27 of Daniel chapter 9, we read, speaking of the Antichrist, “Then he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.” (NKJV)  Now, if you do a careful study upon this sentence in the original language, you will appreciate this translation (the KJV and Young’s also.)

   “Confirm” in the Hebrew is the word pronounced “ga-bar” and it means a continuation of something with an increase or strengthening of it sufficient to prevail or overcome.  It’s first mention is in Genesis 7:18 and it is used 25 times in the Bible all with the same basic meaning.

   So what we’re reading in Dan 9:27 is that he, the Antichrist, will take an existing covenant or treaty and “confirm” it with “many”.  That is, this verse is not saying that he will create the treaty as some have been expecting but rather that he will confirm or strengthen it.  But why “many” and who are they?  

   That’s a great question!

   You see, if Israel were to crush the PA, she could still have a regional war of annihilation with her Arab neighbors. In fact, it’s happened four or five times since 1948 already!  So it would seem that this covenant must be truly comprehensive in its representation.  Additionally, we know from Ezekiel 38:8 & 11 that before the Magog (Russian) invasion of Israel, something will happen to bring a real sense of security to Israel – that is, no more worries about Saddam’s WMDs (weapons of mass destruction) or anxiety about Iran’s missiles and nuclear program or Syria’s or Egypt’s militaries, etc.  And it is quite possibly the confirming of this prophetic covenant.  But, again, it seems that it will only be perceived as having a chance to work if it includes all of the antagonistic Arab states – not just an agreement between Israel and the PA. 

   However, even though there are 22 such states in the Arab League, I personally do not believe that these Muslim or Arab nations are the “many” in Daniel’s prophecy.  Who then are the “many”?  Hold on, I’m getting there.

   We also should expect that this covenant will pave the way for the re-establishment of the Jews’ temple worship.  You see, in the next part of the Daniel 9 passage, it says, “But in the middle of the week (the seven year tribulation period) he (the AC) shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering…”  That is, for the Antichrist to stop this sacrificial worship, it first has to begin.

   Of course, the Jews cannot worship this way yet – they need PEACE -- not just with the PA, Hamas, Hizbullah, etc. but with the whole Arab world.  That’s because the whole Middle East conflict is all about the religious claim to the land of Israel and specifically Jerusalem – a religious claim that echoes in every synagogue and mosque in the region.

   Now, it’s very conceivable that Israel could get to this position of feeling secure by winning a regional war against Syria, Eqypt and Iraq and that could very well still happen.  But they’ve beaten the first two before quite soundly, and that has not as yet given them a real sense of security.  Additionally, you still have the problem of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Lybia, the Gulf states and other Muslim nations that are equally or increasingly antagonistic.

   So back to the goose-bumps – recently, Saudi Arabia surfaced a plan that is significant in that it proposes the guarantee of peace to Israel from all Arab states in exchange for a return of all the land obtained in and since the 1967 war.  This idea isn’t entirely new but the scope of its representation is for the first time ‘the stuff of Daniel 9:27’.  Just the fact that they are to this point, that they are thinking this way, is breath taking prophetically.

   Coincidentally, the United Nations Security Council at nearly the same time approved a resolution submitted by the US to create and acknowledge a Palestinian state.  Now, this is a very rare unanimous resolution to pass against Israel in the Security Council (The US has nearly always vetoed previous ones, and this time Syria abstained so the vote was 14 – 0.)  And this would seem to work cooperatively with the Saudi Arabian proposal – the proverbial ‘land for peace’ deal.

   Now some of us might rant that such deal is totally unjust to Israel.  But whether or not such an agreement is fair to Israel or not is irrelevant prophetically.  Whether or not it is enforceable is very relevant because Israel has learned not to trust Arab ‘guarantees’.  They’ve been down that road before, and they are well aware of the Muslim practice of ‘Koresh’ which in effect legitimizes lying and deception in order to vanquish an enemy.

   At the same time, Israel is craving peace like a drowning man wants air – at almost any cost.  Their own economy is in a shambles and constant conflict has taken a toll in many ways.  That’s why Ariel Sharon has indicated a willingness to negotiate on this new proposal.  But even if it does buck the trend and actually go forward, this arrangement (or whichever agreement ends up being the prophetic covenant) will not give Israel the security it seeks without confirmation by a much greater body – that is, the “many”. 

   At this point, I’ll suggest for your consideration that this may be referring to the UN General Assembly – all 190 nations (the Swiss just joined) – the whole world if you would.  It is the UN that voted to give Israel a homeland back in May of 1948 and coincidently, its Security Council now wants to divide up the land to create the Palestinian state. (Of course, they are unjustly referring to it as liberating ‘occupied territories’.)  This is potentially very significant because Daniel 11:39 says, speaking of the Antichrist, (note: the same guy who will confirm/strengthen the covenant with the “many”) that he will also “divide the land for gain (or literally, for “a price”). 

   Could it be that this refers to the land of Israel being divided or apportioned to the Jews and the Palestinians for the price of peace and perhaps the right to re-establish a temple?  Could it be that in getting this covenant confirmed by the ”many” of the whole UN General Assembly, Israel will think that, at last, they have a peace, a temple and a messiah (all of which will be false)?

   We also should note that in Eze 38:13 when the Russian led coalition comes against Israel, it is “Sheda and Dedan” – that is modern Saudi Arabia that raises its voice in a form of protest.  This would clearly make sense if the invasion was a transgression against the Saudi sponsored peace covenant.  Something to think about.

  Of course, we will not be dogmatic on this.  However, if this isn’t it, it’s something very similar and folks, the signs of the times are screaming that we’re very close.  Keep in mind that BEFORE the prophetic covenant is CONFIRMED by the son of perdition (the Antichrist) with the many, scripture indicates that we’re outta here! 

   I hope you’re all living in such a way that when you hear the coming trumpet sound, you’ll be genuinely overjoyed. 

   “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.  So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – at the doors!  Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” Mat 24:32-34