Almost no prophecy watchers will understand the deal of Daniel 9:27
Many believe that they will know the fulfillment and sequence of certain end time prophecies. Yet, relatively few truly will. One such end time prophecy, that is part of the key sequence will not be understood when it happens.
One has to do with Daniel 9:26-27 which states:
26 And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate (Daniel 9:26-27).
The ‘one week’ has generally been understood by prophecy watchers to mean a seven year deal, that is broken in the middle of it (after 3 1/2 years).
The idea of this being a seven-year end-time deal was also understood by the Catholic theologian Hippolytus (died 235) in the third century:
…the iron and the clay shall be mingled together. Now Daniel will set forth this subject to us. For he says, “And one week will make a covenant with many, and it shall be that in the midst (half) of the week my sacrifice and oblation shall cease.” By one week, therefore, he meant the last week which is to be at the end of the whole world of which week the two prophets… will take up the half. For they will preach 1,260 days clothed in sackcloth, proclaiming repentance to the people and to all the nations…(Hippolytus. On Christ and Antichrist, Chapter 43. Online edition Copyright © 2008 by Kevin Knight).
So, the idea of this deal somehow having a seven-year component is not simply a recent one. Based upon what the Bible teaches about the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3, it is my position that the seven-year component will not be clear enough to Catholics, Protestants, nor most who claim to be in the Church of God (COG) for them to realize this is the deal. Just like they do not consider certain prophetic matters clear enough (e.g. How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God), the vast majority will not truly understand the prophetic implications when the related deal is made.
The result of the deal in Daniel 9:27 is that 3 1/2 years after it is confirmed, a military force from Europe will enter Israel (Daniel 11:31), and according to Jesus will be a sign that the Great Tribulation is about to begin (Matthew 24:15-19).
Although he has several events out of sequence (and numbers 1 & 6 are NOT pre-tribulation events), even the famed Protestant theologian John Walvoord understood the importance of the deal in Daniel 9:27:
1. Rapture of the church …
2. Revival of the Roman Empire …
3. Rise of the Antichrist …
4. The seven-year peace treaty with Israel; consummated seven years before the second coming of Christ (Dan. 9:27; Revelation 19:11-16).
5. Establishment of a world church (Revelatio 17:1-5).
6. Russia springs a surprise attack on Israel four years before the second coming of Christ (Ezek. 38-39).
7. Peace treaty with Israel broken after 3 1/2 years…final three-and-a-half years before the second coming of Christ … (Walvoord J. The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook. Victor Books, 1990, p. 551)
Despite his errors, Dr. Walvoord realized a deal, like a peace deal, would be made then violated 3 1/2 years later.
Why is this believed to be a peace deal?
There are numerous reasons, but notice some other scriptures that discuss this leader:
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25, KJV).
23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:23-24, NKJV)
So this leader gives people the impression that there will be “peace” and is involved in some type of deal. Term is translated as “peace” in Daniel 8:25 is from the Hebrew term shalvah and essentially means security. In other words, this leader will destroy “many” who are under the impression that they are secure because of some type of security arrangement. Such arrangements are now commonly referred to as peace deals.
So, a deal will come.
Why Will Most Not Understand?
But why will most people not understand it when it happens?
Several reasons.
First, many believe that the prophecies in Daniel 9 have already been fulfilled prior to the time of Jesus. They will thus not consider that any peace deal is related to any prophecy there. Many, but not all, of the Greco-Roman faiths are in this category.
Second, some will not truly be watching (Mark 13).
Third, groups like the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) and the Restored Church of God (RCG) believe that the prophecies, or key elements of Daniel 9:27 have already been fulfilled, and hence they are not looking for a peace deal. Notice what they have published:
That was foretold by the Prophet Daniel. It is within the context of the 70 weeks prophecy in Daniel 9. As we have already seen, there were 69 prophetic weeks from the decree of Artaxerxes to the coming of the Messiah. That means one week remained—seven days—or seven years, prophetically. “And he [Christ] 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 …” (Daniel 9:27). Christ caused the sacrifices to cease when He died, because He became that sacrifice (Hebrews 10:4, 12). That occurred in the midst of this prophetic seven-day week—or after 3½ years. (Flurry S. From Good Friday to Easter Sunday. PCG, April 16, 2014. http://www.pcog.org/36868/from-good-friday-to-easter-sunday/ viewed 05/08/14)
Daniel 9…Verse 27 speaks of one additional week in which the Messiah would confirm the covenant. It further shows that the Messiah would cause the sacrifice and oblations to cease in the midst of the week—after three and one-half years. (What Is the “Seventy Weeks” Prophecy? RCG, http://rcg.org/articles/witswp.html viewed 05/08/14)
Although those groups tend to believe that the last half of Daniel 9:27 remains to be fulfilled, they are not looking for a deal to be confirmed for seven years. Hence, when such a deal is made, they will not believe it is as highly relevant as it will be. There are also groups with claimed COG ties like them that have similar misunderstandings.
Fourth, since there will NOT be a pre-tribulation ‘rapture of the church (see Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected?), those who believe that will not understand. Also, the Russia-related attack in Ezekiel 38-39 DOES NOT HAPPEN UNTIL AFTER THE RETURN OF JESUS (for some details, please see Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future). Thus, those who cling to the false expectation for those two events will discount/ignore the deal.
Fifth, if this is a ‘peace deal’ that comes after a war, many will believe the peace propaganda. The Bible warns that many will be misled by false declarations of peace:
10 “Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace — and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar — 11 say to those who plaster it with untempered mortar, that it will fall. There will be flooding rain, and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tear it down. 12 Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, ‘Where is the mortar with which you plastered it?'”
13 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be a flooding rain in My anger, and great hailstones in fury to consume it. 14 So I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.
15 “Thus will I accomplish My wrath on the wall and on those who have plastered it with untempered mortar; and I will say to you, ‘The wall is no more, nor those who plastered it, 16 that is, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her when there is no peace,'” says the Lord God. (Ezekiel 13:10-16)
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3)
That being said, some Protestant and COG writers do understand certain parts of what is going on in Daniel 9:27:
This brings us to the controversial verse 27: “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate” (margin, desolator). The controversy centers around who is the “he” of this verse. The nearest antecedent of the pronoun “he” is the prince (ruler) who is to come of verse 26. Some commentators attempt to make the word “Messiah” in verse 26 serve as the antecedent for the pronoun “he” in verse 26. The attempt to make this connection centers on an attempt to link a Wednesday crucifixion with the expression, “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering” (Verse 27a).
Let’s examine the facts. The pronoun “he” refers to the nearest antecedent noun, the prince who is to come. This prince destroys Jerusalem and the sanctuary. Jesus did not confirm any covenant with anyone for a week. The Hebrew states that this person confirms (Hebrew, gabar meaning to prevail, have strength, be strong) a covenant for one week. Christ perfectly fulfilled the conditions of the Old Covenant, but He did not come to confirm the Old Covenant. He came to install and mediate the New Covenant. He established the New Covenant on the night of the Passover before his death. He did not confirm any covenant with anyone for one week. Moreover, the death of Christ did not cause the sacrifice and oblation to end. The Jews continued to offer sacrifices until the Romans destroyed the temple. Furthermore, the last part of verse 27 states that on a wing of the temple shall be one who makes desolate. In addition, this abomination remains on the wing of the temple until the consummation is poured out on the desolator i.e., the one who make it desolate. Jesus does not place an abomination on the wing of the temple. But of more significance, the returning Jesus Christ is the one who pours out the consummation on the desolator. Christ is surely not the “desolator.” (Ward D. Abomination of Desolation. UCG, http://www.ucg.org/news-and-prophecy/abomination-desolation/ viewed 05/08/14)
Bible prophecy reveals that, at the end of the age, a German-led European Beast power will enter a seven-year peace deal with many Middle Eastern nations (Daniel 9:27; Psalm 83:5-8), but this Beast power will terminate the agreement after only 3.5 years and attempt to exert total control over the region (Daniel 9:27; 11:40-43)—a desperate time may call for desperate measures! (Bloodbath in Egypt! LCG, August 13, 2013. http://www.lcg.org/cgi-bin/lcg/newsprophecy/lcg-np.cgi?category=NewsProphecy1&item=1376601375 viewed 05/08/14)
I personally was involved in the decision of the Living Church of God to teach about the deal in Daniel 9:27. Dr. Meredith and I spoke about this years ago.
Now, although certain Protestants and certain COGs understand that there is to be a deal in Daniel 9:27, why will most still not understand it?
Well, if you look in 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation, you will find that parts of at least four Christian groups are left at the time of the end. Because these are sequential, the implication is that the largest is the ‘church of the Laodiceans’ Revelation 3:14). This is the only group where the plural is used; the prior group, for example, is called ‘the church in Philadelphia’ (Revelation 3:7), singular.
In Revelation 2 & 3, only one group (Philadelphia) is promised protection for the coming hour of trial:
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. (Revelation 3:7-12).
Philadelphians have the ‘Philadelphia work’ (see The Final Phase of the Work ) and put the proper emphasis on the word of God watch the sermons on ContinuingCOG channel), and truly represents the “pillar and ground of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), without accepting the type of doctrinal and/character compromises that others have tolerated (see also Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God). Also, many groups whose leaders once were part of the old Worldwide Church of God no hold fast to officially teach church eras as they were once taught (e.g. UCG, COGaIC, COGWA, ICG, CGOM, CGI, CGG), hence they, like those in Sardis (e.g. CG7), will not be aware or prepared enough. As far as ‘independents’ go, the Bible warns that all should “gather together” “before the decree is issued” so that they “may be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger” (Zephaniah 2:1,2,3). Those who fail to support the true remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God will not be protected, as only the faithful Philadelphians are promised that protection (Revelation 3:7-10).
Since groups like PCG and LCG do not understand the sequence in Daniel 11 related to the King of the South (see PCG and LCG do not understand the end-time King of the South sequence–do you?) and have insisted on a misunderstanding of something related to the King of the North (see LCG and PCG insisting on 10 or 11 ‘nations’ for the Beast? What does the Bible teach?), they, and others with similar positions will not truly understand.
In Revelation 12, we also read that only a portion of true Christians will get protected in a place of safety in the wilderness:
14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:14-17)
So, the Bible is teaching that only some, and not all, Christians will receive protection.
If most Christians knew about the deal, they would be able to calculate that 3 1/2 years after it was confirmed that it would be time to flee. Jesus made it clear that when the second portion of Daniel 9:27 was fulfilled, which it is shown to be in Daniel 11:31, that this was the time to flee. Notice what Jesus taught:
15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:15-22)
Mark 13:14-20 says basically the same thing, thus Jesus’ warning is repeated twice. It can be concluded that the abomination spoken of by Daniel is a very key prophecy. And since it is tied in with the deal that is confirmed for 7 years, if everyone would understand it when it happens, nearly everyone would flee. But we see in passages such as Revelation 12:17 that this does not happen.
Why?
Most Christians and others who profess Christianity will not be protected, thus they will not be able to see the fulfillment of this prophecy and/or will discount what it means.
This type of thing happened in the past. The Jewish religious leaders all knew that the Messiah was prophesied, and many understood that the arrival of Jesus was consistent with the timing of when the Messiah would arrive. Yet, while a few leaders did recognize Jesus, most did not.
The same misunderstanding of fulfilled prophecy will happen at the end.
Since Jesus only promised to protect the Philadelphians, most others will not see it.
How might it happen?
It is very likely that the peace deal will have a different length of time associated with it other than seven-years. Thus, this will be a reason people will point to. Even the man who became the Apostle Nathaniel tried to argue against Jesus because of where he thought Jesus was from (John 1:43-51). Others did the same and indicated that scripture supported their view (John 7:41-42). But Jesus was the Messiah. Others will likely point to scriptures as proof that they are right to discount the deal in Daniel 9:27, but they too, will be wrong.
Here is something that the Living Church of God has written about it:
Bible prophecies have long foretold that at the time of the end, a great world-church would “ride” or direct the final European Beast power (Revelation 13:11-14; Revelation 17). This Beast will broker a temporary peace in the Holy Land between Muslims, Jews and Christians (Psalm 83:5-8; Daniel 9:27; 11:29-39). Events in Rome, Berlin and the Holy Land appear to be moving toward the development of the prophesied short-lived “truce” between Christians, Jews and Muslims. (Vatican and Germany Promote Peace Between Religions. World Ahead Weekly Update, June 13, 2014)
But what if the Beast does not actually broker the deal? What is he only confirms a portion for seven years? What if a group does not know who the Beast will be? Since the deal will start to be broken by Daniel 11:31, many will not understand.
JESUS DID NOT APPEAR AS MANY EXPECTED AND MANY PEOPLE DISBELIEVED AND SOMETIMES COUNTED ON SCRIPTURES THAT THEY WERE SURE WERE PROOF, BUT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND ALL ABOUT JESUS, THEY WERE WRONG.
Even great prophet John the Baptist (Luke 7:38) had doubts about Jesus (Luke 7:19-21), and Jesus then decided to say that those are blessed who were not offended because of Him (Luke 7:22-23). Some will be offended by the truth and not accept it–even many Christians.
It reasonable to conclude that the DEAL of Daniel 9:27 will not be clear enough for most true Christians to believe that it is the biblical one.
The Bible only says that the “prince” of Daniel 9:26 will confirm, or cause to prevail, the covenant for the one week. It does NOT say that he necessarily makes it, or that he necessarily put it together (though he may well have had major input). He may simply confirm that he likes the deal some time after it is made. If if were a ten year deal and he confirmed it three years later or caused it to be implemented three years later that would biblically suffice. It is also possible that he will be part of a less public deal. There also could be simply a provision in the deal that is for seven years, as opposed to the main deal itself. The deal also could be a trade deal, as opposed to a peace deal. There are many possibilities.
When it happens, so will point to various translations and/or interpretations and/or specifics of the deal and conclude that it is not and/or cannot be the deal.
While how the seven-year beginning is calculated is not currently clear, the fact that most will not understand the agreement in Daniel 9:27 is clear.
You do not need to be among those that will not see.
As it says repeatedly in the Book of Revelation:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22)
Will you truly hear?
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment?
The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017 When will the Great Tribulation begin? Can it begin in 2104 as some have indicated? What are the biblical requirements that precede the Great Tribulation? What did Jesus teach would happen prior to the Great Tribulation. Are there definite clues in the Book of Daniel that Christians should look out for? Is there a King of the North or a King of the South yet? Where does the ‘prince’ of Daniel 9:26-27 come from? This is a video sermon.
The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives. This sermon, given from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus Himself foretold the coming Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21). gives details about the Great Tribulation as well as what to look for.
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 from 31 A.D. to present: information on all of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3. There is also a YouTube video: The Seven Church Eras of Revelation. There is also a version in the Spanish language: Las Siete Iglesias de Apocalipsis 2 & 3.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There is also a related YouTube video you can watch titled Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What is the seven-year deal? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? This is a written article.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition?
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