We believe there will be a peace treaty (in Israel) because Gog and the other nations will come against Israel when they are living securely in their land. So when Gog comes against Israel will it be after the peace treaty has begun?
And if we believe the covenant, as predicted in Daniel is the covenant made or confirmed by the one who is or who will be the Antichrist, is that the covenant for 7 yrs. that brings peace for at least 31/2 yrs?
If all this is so, my question is this. Currently we are hearing the promise of a peace treaty in the Middle East, but it seems it is taking the efforts of many to bring it about. (of course, I assume also it might fall apart or not come about)
If this indeed becomes the covenant of many, how will we know the one who actually confirms it? I take from Scripture that this will be one person? Is the Rapture to take place before we see the Antichrist as a man of lawlessness or will we still be here to see him as a man of peace first? I agree that all is speculation until we actually see it happen, if we do. But anyway, are you up to give a take on this?
Thanks a lot. You can tell I value your Bible Study and answers based on them.
I don’t believe the coming negotiations will bring a period of peace that lulls Israel into a false sense of security. I think Israel will have to take Hamas, Hizbollah, and Syria out of the picture by military means first. After that they’ll lower their guard and be surprised by the Ezekiel 38 sneak attack which will follow.
After God intervenes and saves them, they’ll be fooled again, thinking the anti-Christ is their Messiah. This will happen because he’ll confirm (enforce) a seven year treaty that will kick off Daniel’s 70th week and allow them to build the Temple. If I’m right, there’ll be two periods of peace, one coming soon and the other after Ezekiel 38.
Some scholars believe that the phrase “with many” in Daniel 9:27 should read “with the many”, a euphemism for Israel, in which case it refers to the anti-Christ confirming a treaty with Israel. In any case the treaty, or covenant, is confirmed by him with many, not by many. For reasons given in Romans 11:25 and Acts 15:13-18 I believe the Church has to disappear before the 70th week can begin, and therefore we won’t see the Anti-Christ in either of his roles.
In 2 Thes. 2 Paul outlined the sequence of end times events for the church. The 2nd Coming cannot happen until there’s a great apostasy, or falling away. (2 Thes. 2:3) and the anti-Christ is revealed (2 Thes. 2:4). I believe the apostasy is beginning now with the advent of the so-called emerging church.
But then Paul tells us that the anti-Christ can’t be revealed until something else also happens. The one who holds back the spirit of lawlessness has to be taken out of the way. (2 Thes. 2:7) Then the anti-Christ will be revealed (2 Thes. 2:8,)
Many scholars believe that the one who holds back the spirit of lawlessness is the Holy Spirit, who is of course sealed within the Church. Therefore the Church has to be taken away before the anti-Christ can be revealed. After the anti-Christ is revealed then the people who’ve rejected the truth will be deceived by false signs and miracles and many will perish. (2 Thes. 2:9-12) This is a reference to the Great Tribulation.
So then, the order is apostasy, rapture, anti-Christ revealed, Great Tribulation, 2nd Coming.