For Evangelical Christians, it’s difficult to look at major developments in the Middle East without wondering about biblical prophecy. Should we rejoice over the historic peace treaty between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain? Or is this leading to a dangerous, false peace that will only hasten the reign of the Antichrist?
Let’s first recognize just how historic this peace treaty actually is.
A Unique Development in the Modern History of Israel
For 30 years, from 1948 until 1978, not a single Middle Eastern nation made peace with Israel. It was not until 1979 that Egypt made that historic move. It ultimately factored into the assassination of the courageous Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat.
The next Middle Eastern (and Muslim) nation to make peace with Israel was Jordan in 1995, 16 years later. Since then, not a single Islamic, Middle Eastern nation has made peace with Israel. That is, until now, 25 years later.
This is completely beyond anything we have seen in the modern history of Israel.
Not only so, but this is the first time ever that two nations signed peace treaties on the same day. So, what previously took 47 years (from 1948 to 1995) took place in a matter of hours. This is completely beyond anything we have seen in the modern history of Israel.
After Doing Things People Thought Would Cause War, Trump Helps Make Peace
Abraham Accords. As one of the official documents states, “this development will help lead to a future in which all peoples and all faiths can live together in the spirit of cooperation and enjoy peace and prosperity where states focus on shared interests and building a better future.”
Boaz Bismuth’s article on Times of Israel was titled, “The Event That Will Change the History of the Middle East.” He wrote, “Even in a pandemic, we can allow ourselves to rejoice at the first open, warm peace between Israel and Arab countries, and ignore the cynics who are seeking to downplay the importance of today’s events.”
“People of All Faith Can Live Together” Versus the Peace the Bible Prophesies
Yet it is words like this that cause some prophecy-minded Evangelicals to say, “Not so fast! After all, there will be no true peace in the Middle East until Jesus returns. Plus, there are prophetic scriptures that speak of a false peace orchestrated by the Antichrist that will lull the world to sleep, leading to the slaughter of millions. Beware!”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3, where Paul wrote, “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”
- Ezekiel 38:11-12, where the hostile nations will say about Israel, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people — all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.”
Who could imagine the nation of Israel described as “a peaceful and unsuspecting people — all of them living without walls and without gates and bars”? Who could imagine Israel putting its guard down?
Last words:
If sudden and dramatic peace came to the Middle East, I would be both hopeful and cautious. Would this be the result of decades (if not centuries) of prayer and years of diplomacy? Or would it be the first step towards a dangerous one-world government that will ultimately oppose God Himself?
Reader says recent events signal Christ’s return
On September 15, 2020, the governments of the United States, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the historic Abraham Accord Peace Treaty at the White House. More Middle East countries are expected to also sign and join later.
Israel and Jerusalem are God’s end times clock. When the disciples asked Jesus what were the signs of His coming again? Jesus told them that the last generation wouldn’t pass away before they saw the things He revealed. As Israel had a rebirth in May 1948, it was the beginning of the end generation. Psalms 90:10 tells us a generation is between 70 and 80 years. That makes Jesus return to rule earth not later than 2028 when Israel is 80 years old. If you subtract 7 years for the tribulation, Jesus should return in the air not later than 2021 for the rapture. The rapture is called the appearing of Jesus. Prophecy is unfolding before our eyes. Our Savior Jesus could return for His bride at any time. One pastor said the rapture is so close he wasn’t looking for signs but was listening for sounds. So we continue to look up and witness to those around us that they may be ready as well. Christians have great hope, but pain for those who will not listen and believe in the best news ever — Jesus. As Titus 2:13 says, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ!”
The Bible tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem which is in effect praying for the return of Jesus. Because only Jesus can bring real peace. Jesus returns after the seven-year tribulation to rule from Jerusalem not from America. Don’t be stressed about Israel’s survival but be justifiably concerned about America’s!
Jesus now promises to come and reign for a 1000 years after the seven-year tribulation and you can be sure He will keep His word. Jesus doesn’t need an invitation to come. Whenever Jesus chooses to come, Jesus will crash the party!
D.D. Nave
Elizabethton
End-Time Prophecy: Will There Be Peace in the Middle East?
All who have tried to create lasting peace between Israel and her neighbors have failed; yet, the Word of God says that one man will appear to succeed.
This man’s peace plan will begin the final countdown to the return of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).
In light of the urgency to make peace in the Middle East, it is vital to understand what the Prophet Daniel and Yeshua (Jesus) told us about this peace plan and the last days, so we can recognize the times and warn others also.
In the ninth chapter of the Book of Daniel, we read that Daniel, who was in exile in Babylon with the Jewish People, was studying the Book of Jeremiah looking for answers.
As he read, he understood that Jeremiah foretold a 70-year period of Babylonian captivity before the restoration of Israel would come to pass (Jeremiah 29:10).
Daniel’s heartfelt, moving response was to pray, confessing his sin and the sin of the entire nation of Israel.
As he prayed, the angel Gabriel came to him, telling him of an additional time period, this time of shevuim shevim (seventy sevens) or 490 years. This was the time that would elapse before sin would end and everlasting righteousness would be established:
“Seventy [shevim] ‘sevens’ [shevuim] are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.” (Daniel 9:24)
Many believe this leaves a seven-year span that has yet to be completed and will be fulfilled in the last days during the Tribulation Period.
- Daniel describes that time in Daniel 9:27: “He [the ruler at that time] will confirm a covenant [peace treaty] with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation.”
- When Yeshua was asked about His coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3–15), He referred to the above verse.
Daniel 9:27, according to Yeshua’s end-time explanation, confirms that there will be a third Jewish Temple in the last days and a seven-year peace covenant, which likely will be brought about by the anti-Messiah.
Just as the Hebrew Prophet Daniel searched the Scriptures for clues to understand the time in which he lived, we also should be diligently searching the Scriptures.
Indeed, when we examine current events in the light of Bible prophecy, there can be no doubt that we are living at the end of the age.
The necessity remains to scrutinize world happenings so we may be prepared for whatever is coming, especially since recent attempts at peace in the Middle East may be a precursor for the fulfillment of Daniel’s final seven-year period.
This peace covenant will begin the 70th week in Daniel’s prophecy, the final seven-year stretch before the return of Yeshua.
Daniel also highlights the halfway point in the seven-year covenant, this leader will set up an abomination in the Temple, perhaps an image of himself to be worshiped. (The Book of Revelation also mentions a three and a half year period in Revelation 11:2–3; 12:6; and 13:5).
Yeshua, the Prince of Peace
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Though the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–12) makes it plain that righteousness is characterized by peacemaking (see also James 3:18), the Bible also states that Yeshua HaMashiach is the ultimate source of peace (Luke 19:42).
- “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27; see also John 16:33)
We understand from Scripture that true peace will come when the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, returns.
In the meantime, as we witness the fulfillment of Bible prophecy in current events, like the Hebrew Prophet Daniel, we should respond with heartfelt, sincere prayer.
That prayer should include prayer for the salvation of the Jewish People promised in Bible prophecy and for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure.’ (Psalm 122:6)
And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. (Zechariah 12:10)
Keywords:
Abraham Accord, Peace Treaty, United Statese, Israel, Arab countries, UAE- United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Middle East countries, one-world government, Covenant, End-time Biblical Prophecy, Seven-year tribulation, Anti-Christ, Second Coming of Jesus Christ, Christ’s return, Rapture, Third temple
Related News link:
1. Cabinet unanimously approves UAE normalization deal
2. ‘We need Israel’: Top official says Sudan will have some ties with Jerusalem
3. Morocco Joins List of Arab Nations to Begin Normalizing Relations With Israel
Bible Verses:
1The 5:3, Ezekiel 38:11-12, Daniel 9:27, Psalm 90:10, Titus 2:13
