Daniel’s 70th Week Prophecy

Q

I am confused about the prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27 where everyone says the Antichrist confirms a treaty with Israel. Doesn’t Daniel actually say that he confirms a covenant with “many”? I know it goes on to say about taking away the sacrifice and setting up an abomination that causes desolation but where does it say that he makes a covenant with Israel? Doesn’t the “many” mean a 7 year treaty with many countries? And who knows what the treaty is about – finance? Global warming? I know the Sanhedrin is planning on the sacrificing the Passover Lamb this year. Shouldn’t we be watching to see if and when a “man” makes them stop this offering instead of looking for a treaty?

A

Remember, the subject of Daniel’s prophecy is the Jewish people and Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24). For that reason alone no matter who the other parties to this treaty might be, Israel will be one of them. Also, it will include provisions for building a Temple in Israel. We know this because in the middle of the seven year term, the anti-Christ will commit the Abomination of Desolation causing Temple sacrifice and offering to be discontinued. And Rev. 11:1, which takes place shortly before the abomination, mentions a Temple in operation.

So it’s not that he prevents a single sacrifice from happening, but that he stops an ongoing sacrificial process by making the Temple unfit for use. The symbolic attempt to sacrifice a lamb on a substitute altar would not suffice to fulfill Daniel’s prophecy.