Latest Prophecy Commentary
Could Bush's Departure With Peace Still On The Table Leave Door Open For Future Confirmation Of Covenant By Another Leader As Prophesied In Daniel 9:27
"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." Daniel 9:27
Daniel 9:27 is interpreted by virtually every prophecy expert as the Biblical prediction of a future antichrist who will come on the scene in the last days and confirm a peace treaty with Israel and many other nations for seven years.
In these last days, the phrase "confirm the covenant with many" has taken on a meaning of its own leading many Christians to believe that the antichrist will at some point reach back and revive an existing peace plan (covenant) such as the Taba Accords.
There is no doubt in my mind that the final peace accord will incorporate many aspects of previous accords and plans, but let me take you down an alternative line of thinking that will eventually lead to the same conclusion.
As you know, President Bush's final term is coming to a close. In an attempt to cement his legacy, President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have worked feverishly to bring peace to the Middle East before he leaves office in January of 2009.
Although work towards this goal is progressing, I do not believe peace will be achieved in the allotted timeframe. However, I do believe significant progress will be made before President Bush leaves office, but it will have to be left to the next administration or world leader to complete.
My main reason for this belief is that the Bible does not provide room for a leader to bring this peace agreement only to leave it in the hands of another. For the Bible says that the antichrist will bring peace for one week (7 years) and then break it at the midway point (3 1/2 years later). Barring a cataclysmic war or terrorist attack, President Bush will be gone in 13 months and certainly won't be in power 3 1/2 years later.
With that said, here is what I am beginning to believe this Scripture means. I believe President Bush will do all he can to bring peace before he departs but will fall short leaving the peace process on the table for the next administration. When this happens, I'm sure both sides will be frustrated, but peace will be close.
The most obvious scenario in my mind would be for the next US president to pick up the peace process and take it to its completion. But I'm not so sure that will happen. Depending on who wins the election, and I'm not even sure that matters, I look for the US to start taking on a lesser role in the Middle East, especially when it comes to Israel. Our days of having Israel's back, I believe, is coming to a close. One other thing, when the rapture takes place, look for whatever remaining US (or world) support for Israel to dry up.
Even though I don't look for the US to continue the process (but it's not out of the question) the Bible is clear that somebody will. A few prominent names that come to mind are French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Quartet Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair, and Secretary General of the Council of the European Union Javier Solana.
Although all three are major world players in their own right I suspect the Lord will keep us in suspense until his appointed time to be revealed (II Thessalonians 2:5-10)...meaning, it could be anyone.
Whoever it turns out to be the Bible is clear that he will pick up where the peace process was left and "confirm the covenant".
My conclusion is...could we be witnessing the very process of this Scripture being played out with the departure of President Bush and the ushering in of a new leader who will confirm a peace agreement with many for seven years?
Are you ready to meet the Lord? If not, your time is running out!
Terry Malone
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