War Clouds
Over Israel
                                                                   By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                   June 28, 2019
     "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 out upon the desolate,"  Daniel 9:27.  
Introduction
     This study is a follow up to the study I recently posted, "Exposing Satan's Lies!"  In the previous study, I emphasized what Daniel 9:27 DOES NOT say, as claimed by those false teachers who want to apply it to Christ Himself.    
     In this study, I want to expound what this text Scripture actually DOES say, and it's application in view of current events. Read on for a study which I pray will be both enlightening, and a blessing to our readers.   And we will begin this study by taking a careful look at.......
 Daniel 9:26
      This inspired Scripture is a  prophecy giving details about the crucifixion of the Messiah of Israel; the Lord Jesus Christ.  It clearly points out that His crucifixion would be a sacrifice, "not for Himself," but rather for every person, Jew or Gentile,  who will place their faith in Him to receive forgiveness of their sin and His free gift of salvation, Ephesians 2:8-10; John 10:14-18.
     But now notice that this inspired Scripture is not limited to just the crucifixion of Christ, but rather covers two more periods of time.
      After speaking of the crucifixion, Daniel was then inspired to write, "...and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;..."  This did not happen at the crucifixion of Christ.  Rather, it happened nearly forty years later in 70 A.D.  So here is a forty year move forward in this inspired Scripture.  But that isn't all.....
     The next phrase in this Scripture says, "...and the end thereof shall be with a flood..."  This phrase in this Scripture again moves forward some 2,000 years to the end of this present Dispensation of Grace, clearly stating that it will end with "a flood."  Wow!    
     As I write flooding is going on here in America like we have never seen previously in this country.  Just this week, in the southwest corner of Missouri, it rained a little more than four inches in just a few minutes of time.  All of that southwest corner of Missouri is flooded.  But any reader who keeps up with the news knows that the entire midwest of America is flooded. Every river and stream in the midwest is overflowings it's banks. The heavy rains causing this flooding began early in the year and have continued right up to the present time.  What this means is that very little of the farmland in the midwest, the major food producing area in America,  has been plowed or sowed this year. No crops will be harvested from these flooded lands this year.  So next year the prices of available food will be "out of sight," and there may even be famine in America.  Hello!   
     But America is not the only nation experiencing such weather. Reports of similar weather is coming in from other nations all around the world.  Is this flooding Scripturally significant?  It must be, or it wouldn't have been specifically mentioned in this prophecy.  In view of the statement in this Scripture, this present flooding in America and other nations,  is obviously not just "coincidence."  
     Then the last phrase in this Scripture, "...and unto the end of the war desolations are determined." This phrase points out that this present dispensation will end with the beginning of a "war." There is no question in my mind that this is prophetically describing the end of this present dispensation just as the Tribulation period is beginning with a "war."  Wow!  Isn't this a fascinating prophecy?
     Even as I write, Israel and Iran are on a "war" footing with each other.  America is threatening to enter this war against Iran, on behalf of Israel.  If America should enter the war, it will make America a prime target of Iran's anger.  But not only of Iran, but of all the Muslim nations, and of other nations which supply the Muslim nations with weapons.  Hello!  
     Does this sound like it could be the beginning of another World War?  Well, relax for the moment.  It will not be!  At least not until the Lord Jesus opens the "second seal" during the Tribulation period, and the anti-christ comes riding out on the "red horse" of war,  Revelation 6:3-4.  For the present time, there is, and will be, war between Iran and Israel, but it will be settled by a "cease fire" agreement, and then a "covenant" of peace.   
     Now dear readers, is all of this just "coincidence?"  Or is God's Word highly relevant to every period of time in human history? Is our gracious God showing those of His people who are "watching," right where we are at on God's prophetic time line?  Be careful how you answer, for God is listening, Matthew 12:36-37.  
     I began this study with Daniel 9:26, in order to demonstrate to our readers that this Scripture is directly related to.......
Daniel  9:27
     I want to first point out that Daniel 9:1-19, records the  passionate prayer of Daniel, confessing the sins of his people, and pleading for the mercies of God upon the nation of Israel, the city of Jerusalem,  and upon his own  Jewish people.  Every reader of this study will be blessed if they read this passionate, heart felt prayer of Daniel for his people.  I would to God that we here in America had that kind of love and passion for our nation and people.  The American people don't, and the future of America is written in Psalm 9:17 and Jeremiah 30:11, whether some readers want to believe it or not.  
     God heard and answered Daniel's prayer by giving him understanding of Israel's future.  That is what is set forth in the remainder of this chapter; verses 20-27. But now let's very carefully study 9:27
Identifying the "he"
     By carefully reading what is stated in this Scripture, 9:27, it becomes glaringly obvious that the "he" in this Scripture IS NOT the Jews Messiah; the Lord Jesus Christ.  Christ IS NOT the one who breaks the seven year "covenant" with Israel.  Christ IS NOT the one who causes "the sacrifice and the oblation" to cease.  Christ IS NOT the one who spreads "abominations" [images; false gods; Deut. 7:25-26] all over the land of Israel, causing the Israelites to have to flee, and leaving the whole land of Israel desolate, during the last half of the tribulation.
     It is the anti-christ who breaks the agreed upon seven year "covenant" of peace with Israel.  
Identifying the Covenant
     It is obvious that Daniel 9:27 continues the line of thought began io 9:26, by saying, "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week...."
     The last thing mentioned in 9:26 was a "war."  Therefore, this "covenant" is obviously a covenant of peace; a peace treaty or peace agreement, to bring to an end the state of war between Israel and Iran [or other opposing nations].  Right at this moment, it is Iran that is firing missiles and rockets into Israel, and is threatening to annihilate Israel.  God Himself will not permit that, so at some point in the near future, there will be a "covenant" of peace; a peace agreement made between Israel and her enemies.  
     However, Israel has been fighting for it's right to exist as a nation almost since it was established in 1948.  The enemies of Israel have failed to honor every agreement made with Israel, right up to this present time.  Therefore, this "covenant" prophesied in 9:27 has to have strong "terms of peace" written into it, before Israel will trust it.  This is why the inspired Word prophecies that "he" will "strengthen" this covenant, making it appear to Israel that the "covenant" can safely be trusted.  
     Once this "covenant" has been "strengthened" by the anti-christ, then and only then, will the Jewish people begin to cry out, "peace and safety," 1 Thessalonians 5:3.  
     However, after 3 1/2 years of Israel living in "peace" [the first half of the seven year tribulation] the anti-christ will violate the "covenant" he had once "strengthened," and the Israelites will be forced to flee, exactly as the Lord Jesus warned them to do in Matthew 24:15-21.  
Identifying the "many"
     There is no doubt that under present world conditions, this is speaking of the United Naions Organization.  There is a strong and growing element in the UN today, who want a UN military force, and a one world government.  
     It makes good sense then, that if the "covenant" is brought before the UN, and approved by them, supposedly no nation would dare to break it for fear of having to go to war against the combined forces of the entire United Nations.
     However, the glitch in this, is that the anti-christ, by whatever means is necessary, is going to become the first world leader of the one-world government.  A one-world dictator.  Read Revelation 13:7 and believe what it says!     
Identifying the "week"
     The length of time involved in this prophecy is one "week;" a week of years.  We know from Genesis 1 that a week contains seven days.  Then a week of years would contain seven years.  This is not a 3 1/2 year period, as some today are claiming.  It is a full seven year period of time, that today is referred to as "the tribulation period."    
Identifying the "sacrifice and the oblation"
     This statement in the context of this Scripture, makes it quite plain that the Jewish Temple is to be rebuilt during the first half of the Tribulation, and the Jewish priesthood will be restored.  
     It is Scripturally significant that the Jewish priesthood has been re-established in Israel in just this past year.  Now they are "champing at the bit" to get the Temple rebuilt.  That will be one of the first projects undertaken by Israel, once they have what appears to be a lasting peace with their neighboring nations.  
     I srongly believe the anti-christ will assist the Jews to rebuilding their Temple.  Why?  Because in his wicked heart, he will be planning to enter that Temple, exactly as prophesied [2 Thess. 2:3-4], sit down on the Mercy Throne in the Temple, and declare himself to be Almighty God.  Compare Revelation 13:6-8; 13:15.  
     As soon as the Jewish priests succeed in rebuilding the Temple, they will once again begin offering a daily sacrifice, and an oblation, as set forth in their Jewish Law.  It is this "sacrifice and oblation" to Almighty God, which the anti-christ will "cause.......to cease."  
Identifying the "abominations"  
     Notice that in this Scripture this word is plural.  There are a number of Scriptures in God's Word which speaks of "the abomination of desolation" [singular], but in this Scripture the world is plural.  Why?
    The anti-christ knows that the Jewish people have not been idol worshippers since their captivity in ancient Babylon, and to this day they refuse to worship idols.  Nevertheless, the anti-christ will fill their land with idol gods, probably trying to break down their reluctance to worship false gods.  From the very beginning of his planting idols in the streets of the cities of Israel, the Jewish people will begin to flee from  the land.  The Jews know that those idols brought God's WRATH upon them in the past, and they have no desire to experience it again.
     Their flight from the land will likely start out small, with a few Jews here and there leaving.  But when the anti-christ violates their Temple, and sets us his own image, demanding that it be worshiped on penalty of death for refusal, there will be a mass exodus of the Jews from the land, leaving it totally deserted and empty, just as is prophesied several places in the Scriptures.  See Matthew 24:15-21.
Conclusion
     Dear readers, I have expounded on the truths set forth in Daniel 9:27, taking the passage at face value for what it actually and literally says.  
     Those false teachers who refuse to believe these truths about Daniel 9:27, are so spiritually dim witted that they do not realize that they are standing on the brink of imminent destruction as they teach their lies.  
      The prophesied "war" in 9:26 is in the process of beginning RIGHT NOW.  Therefore, the resurrection and rapture will occur at any minue of any day now, and humanity LEFT BEHIND will be ushered into the seven year tribulation period.  They likely will see the anti-christ come on the world scene, identifying him by his number [Rev. 13:8], and by his "strengthening" of a "covenant" with Israel, 9:27.  
     Those who are perverting Daniel 9:27  today, will then see for themselves the fulfillment of this inspired prophetic  Scripture.  They may, or may not, then have an opportunity to turn to the Lord in true repentance and faith.  But being saved at that time won't deliver them out of the terrible Tribulation period.  And as Christian believers on the earth during the Tribulation, they will be called upon to seal their testimony for Christ by being martyred,  Rev. 13:8, 20:4, 7:9-17.  Is this what our readers want?  Then consider yourselves WARNED!  2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Peter 1:10-11.  
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     My personal contact information:
POSTAL.....Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 Co. Rd. 8120, Rolla, MO 65401
EMAIL.......francismriley34@gmail.com
PHONE.....573-202-6493
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