Volume 44, Issue 1 ________________________________Bible Prophecy Ministry



Confirming the Covenant

    Someday soon, after the world has dealt with the nuisance of international terrorism, the passionate, and divisive issue regarding the burdensome complex dynamic of the conflict between the Jews and the Arabic-Muslim world will emerge onto the center stage of international geopolitical intrigue. Within that window of world opportunity for peace and security, there shall also emerge a heavy anticipation for a final solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    Coordinating the peace-with-security framework of the resolution to that troublesome perplexity, will require some charismatic visionaries for the new global order of peace and security to step onto the forefront of the international arena, and bring with them some interesting and dynamic proposals.

    According to the Bible, a person of unparalleled diplomatic persuasiveness, equipped with skill in geo-political craftsmanship and possessing a notable world-wide inter-religious appeal will rise through the ranks of world leaders in the Last Days. He will emerge logistically positioned with the sufficient support fashioned from a number of worldwide alliances to structure just such a strategic diplomatic overture of “peace with security” that will solidify all of the unstable components that exist within the Middle East region.

     I Thessalonians chapter 5 conveys the idea that the leadership of the Last Days global strategists will be searching for world peace, a peace for all nations that is accomplished through a global system of military and economic security. With the constant threat of annihilation because of the preponderance of weapons of mass destruction, the world finds itself requiring a methodology to guarantee each region its safety. But far and away the most perplexing obstacle to world security is the volatile confrontation presented by the existence of Israel, situated right on the front doorstep of the intolerant Muslim Empire.

    This dramatic scenario of world history is reaching its climax today solely because of the Divine preservation of God's chosen people, and his re-plantation of them back into the Promised Land. That reality is an affront to the religion of Islam. Therefore, the worlds major power brokers are diligently in search of a resolution to the political dilemma of the Israeli-Palestinian quagmire, but at the same time the nations realize that a political solution must be accompanied by an alliance that can maintain security in this particular region. It is just this very atmosphere that the apostle Paul described for Israel in the Last Days when Israel would enter into a Covenant agreement with the Last Days World Leader. The discussions and negotiations today concerning world terrorism and peace in the Middle East is likely the preparatory groundwork that will catapult Israel into a Covenant with Hell. ( Isaiah 28:15 Because ye ( Israel ) have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: )

    This verse sheds light on the fact that Israel will place its faith for peace and security in the wrong hands. The promises of peace and security will turn out to be nothing but lies and schemes against Israel. In the end, Israel will find itself completely encircled by an the forces of darkness. Isaiah describes it as an overflowing scourge ( Tribulation ) upon the land of Israel. Israel will discover that she has entered into a covenant with a great imposter, a master deceiver guaranteeing Israel peace and security.

     There is a great deal of speculation about the covenant that Israel will enter into. The most notable component of that covenant is usually ascribed to Paul's description regarding the coming Day of the Lord. Here Paul refers to Israel's quest for peace and safety in this world.

    1 Thesalonians 5:2-4 For yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, “Peace and safety”; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

     The overriding characteristic of that Covenant is that it will include a “peace and safety” arrangement. Realizing that the component of peace-with-security will be an absolute necessity to conclude any resolution to the Middle East Peace equation, I am astonished today when I read some of the world news accounts regarding the nation of Israel. The Western nations and particularly the European Union sphere seem to have absolutely no affinity for going to war to enable Israel to exist. Even the U.S. has pursued a political agenda in the Middle East that is based upon appeasement. On the other-hand, the Eastern and Northern sphere of nations seems compelled to support the Arab-Muslim agenda to exterminate Israel, so that they can wield more political leverage with the oil-rich Arab region. United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anan has echoed the calls from Russia, China, and the EU for the innovation of regional security systems. The U.S. has begun to see the need for a national missile defense shield for its own national security. This issue causes great consternation between the major powers, since neither of the nations wishes to see another nation with more offensive or defensive capabilities. But, the under current of all this discussion is the need for the implementation of global and regional security blocks. Added to that mix of military-industrial-security geo-political pragmatism is the gathering steam for a global harmony of religious unity. Global Security requires that the religions of the world stem the tide of inflammatory religious rhetoric that produces the cancer of religious inspired warfare. Thus there now exists an arena that demands a leadership of great ingenuity. The Old Testament Prophet Daniel was given a fore-glimpse of a personage that would bring all the logistics of a peace-with-security arrangement into the realm of possibility.

     Daniel 8:24-25 And his ( Antichrist ) power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 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;( Jesus Christ ) but he shall be broken without hand.

    The world is searching for just such a miracle worker today. The individual known commonly as the prophesied Antichrist, that will manage the networking of Global ideology and offer Israel a long sought after peace plan, will also be able to accord her an alliance pact guaranteeing her Security. This entity will utilize the policy of diplomatic statesmanship to formulate peace processes that are a method of global control, and to destroy opponents. His ultimate focus will hinge on forging a peace-security covenant with Israel, and thereafter seek to destroy the Jewish people. The end analysis however is that he will be destroyed by Jesus Christ!

    Oddly enough, in the ongoing drama of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the search is in high gear for a workable formula that can provide exactly the strategic ideals mentioned in Daniel and I Thessalonians. While the U.S. continues to support Israel's right to exist in peace, the Arab world continues to lobby the EU to take more of a lead in resolving the conflict. Conceived and promoted by the EU, and the UN, and being floated throughout the Arab world by King Abdullah of Jordan and Crown Prince Abdul bin Aziz Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is a concept that goes one step farther. The Vatican has also added its voice to the two-basket approach calling on the EU and Italian government to work towards a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Vatican Secretary of state Cardinal Angelo Sodano said "without effort from the international community, it will be difficult for the two adversaries to get together." To aid in this endeavor, the Pope has labored to develope a harmonic dialogue with the religion of Islam. The plan calls for the following:

     King Abdullah II of Jordan, utilizing the plan formulated among European and Arab monarchs has embarked on a bold but secretive peace-building campaign aimed at eliciting public guarantees from all Arab states that Israel will be accepted as a state and "integrated" into the region. He revealed that he has received pledges from President Bush to back the move, which would be a major breakthrough in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict, but only if and when its success is assured. The declaration the king is seeking would offer Israel for the first time collective guarantees for its own security and acceptance from 22 Arab nations, stretching from north and west Africa across to the Arabian Sea. The Jordanian monarch called is beseeching his fellow Arab leaders to recognize the world's new realities after the September 11th terrorist events.

    The Arab world is being prepared to offer a collective guarantee of Israel's security and integration into the Middle East in return for the setting up of a Palestinian state. Under a deal now being discussed by the main international parties, this plan would offer Israel for the first time a guarantee of its own existence and security by all the countries from the Persian Gulf to Morocco. According to the plan, “the Arab countries will make a statement guaranteeing the security of Israel!” This is part of what the Euro-Arab leaders call the “two-basket approach” agreed to by the “team” of the main parties, including the United States, Russia, the European Union, the United Nations, Egypt and Jordan. It would mark an unprecedented public acceptance by all Arab states not only of Israel's existence but of its full integration within the Middle East. The King is understood to have canvassed the idea in the Gulf states, Saudi Arabia and several North African states. But the biggest barrier remains Syria, and those countries such as Iraq and Iran that have taken a consistently militant approach. Ironically it is these same states that the U.S. has targeted in the War on Terror. The community of nations is therefore working on the establishment of a Palestinian state, set up in accordance with the United Nations Resolutions 242 and 338. In return, Israel would have its security underpinned not simply by the Palestinians but by the wider Arab world, with guarantees from the major nations through Global Security Alliance.

For the record, the new U.S. foreign policy strategy relative to Israel is as follows:

  • The Bush Administration is in favor of the United Nations Security Council “land for peace” concept as spelled out in Resolutions 242 and 338 (reducing Israel back to the pre-1967 borders).

  • Israel must end its “occupation” according to those resolutions.

  • Israel must accept a viable Palestinian state.

  • Israeli settlement construction must end, as it severely undermines the peace process.

  • The U.S. opposes all Israeli settlement activity; all settlement construction must stop.

  • The Israeli settlement activity of the last few years is responsible for the present terror problems.

  • Palestinians must stop doubting Israel's legitimacy, and must fully account for Israel's security needs.

  • Israeli “Occupation” hurts the Palestinians and must end.


    In all of this geo-political craftsmanship, it seems to me that the Lord has allowed the United States to officially establish its position pertaining to God's covenant land to the world. Now, all the nations of the world have made known their position, in addition to the world's major organizations (such as the World Council of Churches and the Vatican), the European Union (EU), and the United Nations (U.N.). Playing the Middle East card virtually completes a scenario wherein the nations have indeed politically come against Israel (Zechariah 12:2-3), and the probability of a treaty (covenant) ensuring peace and security "with many" (Daniel 9:27) is very feasible. It is extremely interesting that the EU, along with certain nations of the Arab world, is currently pushing for a "a two-basket deal" calling for establishment of the Palestinian state along with a collective Arab guarantee for the security of Israel.

     There are rumors throughout the Middle East and much of the world about the possibility of the soon recognition of a Palestinian State by Israel. The rumored agreement can be spelled out as follows:

  • Israel must accept recognition of a Palestinian state within the borders of pre-June 4, 1967 according to UN resolution 242.

  • Yasser Arafat must accept a temporary capital for the Palestinian state in Ramallah in the first phase, to be followed by negotiations concerning Jerusalem and the transfer of Israel's religious sovereignty to the Palestinian authority on the al-Aqsa mosque.

  • Freezes the return of the refugees for five years and a partial dismantling for the Israeli settlements.


    So now after a quick review of the current situation in the Middle East theatre, and the proposals under consideration for resolution to that explosive tinderbox, lets reflect on the Biblical dynamic that underlies the peace with security issue for Israel. Daniel was informed by the angel Gabriel of the long running historic drama of Israel's travail in the world. While history shows that Israel did indeed suffer under Babylonian captivity for 70 years, it also reveals that Gentile domination continued through the first advent of the Messiah and beyond. Daniel chapter nine is often called the backbone of Bible Prophecy. It contains within it a great deal of information about the first restoration of Israel, and also an overview of the Diaspora leading toward the second restoration of Israel when the fulfillment of the Messiah's mission would at long last be accomplished. But the issue of concern in this article is conveyed in verse 27 where we are further informed that the Last Days Prince will “Confirm The Covenant” with “Many”, for the duration of “one week”.

     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.

     I think many writers and students of Bible prophecy clearly associate the Covenant mentioned in this text with the peace and safety aspect mentioned in I Thessalonians 5. It is commonly assumed that this refers to a peace treaty that Israel will sign with the Antichrist. I agree with that assessment, but I would also suggest that there is one additional and important factor. Daniel says that this covenant will be with many. That means that there will be more adherents, or co-signers than just the nation of Israel alone! When one ponders why Daniel specifically worded his text, “the covenant”, one must dig into the parameters of the various covenants that God has extended to Israel. I think that Daniel was alluding to a specific and particular covenant that God made with the descendants of Abraham. It is a logical deduction that the most likely peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Arab conflict will necessarily involve the religion of each. (Islam and Judaism) Each religion traces its foundation to Abraham. Israel looks to Isaac, while Arabs look to Ishmael as the son Abraham offered on Mount Moriah for sacrifice nearly four thousand years ago. The Confirmation of the land Covenant is the real issue between these two peoples, since they both claim to be rightful heirs. The Abrahamic Covenant became a controversy when Isaac and Ishmael came on the scene. But while, God says that he has established his covenant with Isaac, ( twelve tribes of Israel ) he also mentions that Ishmael will bear 12 princes and become a great nation as well. The great unsolvable controversy between Israel and her neighbors is, “Who owns the Land”? Hence, the confirming, or parceling of the land contract is an item which can easily be accomplished through the common thread of their religious heritage with Abraham. Coincidentally, the entire realm of the Antichrist and his Religious False Prophet is an interwoven network of religious union, combined with Global governance.

     Genesis 17:19-21 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

    Reflecting upon this Biblical data and the apparent building endeavor by the power brokers in the Middle East Peace Process, I am finding it hard to discount the idea that a peace-with-security arrangement amongst the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac might be the particular covenant referred to by Daniel. The current proposal would involve the 22 Arab League nations granting legitimacy to Israel's right to exist in the Middle East behind pre-1967 borders, and incorporating Israel into a brotherhood alliance. Beyond that accomplishment, the Global Power-brokers would guarantee the security of the entire region, including Israel. The potential resolution coupled with the buckling of fanatical Islamic terrorism would produce an atmosphere conducive to the utopian ideal of world order under a supreme leader. This is precisely the scenario the Bible depicts in the days just prior to and immediately in front of the great Day of the Lord. Then shall mankind proudly proclaim the theme of his achievement of securing peace without God! Peace, Peace, Peace, Peace is at Hand! Jeremiah 6:14 and 8:11 is the motto of the coming Prince, but God says that when they shall cry Peace and Safety, then sudden destruction cometh like a Thief in the Night. God says that although men will be crying peace, peace, peace, that there will be no peace, and it is a fact that there can be no peace in this world without the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ himself. He is the only one that can establish peace and security in this world! And we all know whom it is that comes like a thief in the night. Yes, Jesus Christ will swoop back into the domain of the world's outer aeon, and collect all of his faithful children, literally recalling his ambassadors to this world before he sets his face to wage war on a rebellious and Christ rejecting world. Israel will endure that traumatic scene, but she will; be rescued at the midnight hour. It is my earnest opinion that we are embarking upon the days when the Antichrist will Confirm the Covenant with Many! That covenant confirming Israel's right to exist, and granting her Security in the Land, will also enable her to rebuild her long awaited Temple on the Temple Mount. Unfortunately, Israel will have entered into a covenant with Hell!

     1 Thesalonians 5:2-4 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, “Peace and safety”; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

     As the world endeavors to build a peaceful and secure world apart from Jesus Christ, the aspirations of the Great Red Dragon remains to destroy the nation of Israel. The demonic venom of Satan and his cadre of Hellish associates will incite the nations of the world headlong into the final cataclysmic assault into the land of the Covenant, and towards Armageddon. But then the true Prince of Peace will return to rescue Israel from its fateful covenant, and destroy the forces of Antichrist. Even so, Come Lord Jesus!

Author: Darrell G. Young
Copyright©2002





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