i am re-posting an article sent to me which is of interest to all
HOW CLOSE COULD WE BE TO THE TRIBULATION?
United Nations Security Counsel resolution 2334 has many people wondering how close could we be to the Tribulation? Is this resolution the “Covenant With the Many” that launches the 70th Week of Daniel?
I have been receiving dozens of emails asking about this topic. Hopefully this article will answer your questions about my opinions.
United Nations Security Counsel Ruling
The Christian world was expecting President Obama to try and divide the nation of Israel (a “Two State Solution”) before his term in office ended. And true to form, he ordered the United States to abstain on a UN Security Counsel ruling that forbids Israel from building more settlements in what the UN considers contested land.
This historic abstention (the first anti-Israeli UN abstention by the USA) is not the dividing of the land, but it is a precursor. This week US Secretary of State John Kerry stated that this UNSC ruling protected the future of a “Two State Solution” which he claimed would be in jeopardy without the ruling. So it is an attempt to keep that solution alive.
The UNSC ruling doesn’t include any sanctions and was adopted under non-binding Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter. However, it termed the Jewish settlements in the land acquired in 1967 War as having “no legal validity.” This ruling will likely limit future Israeli settlements in this area. In retaliation, Israel withdrew its ambassadors from most of the nations that voted against them.
January 15, 2017
In two weeks (on January 15th), 70 nations will gather in Paris to discuss development of a two state solution. This is a most unique peace conference as representatives of Israel and the Palestinians are not invited. The French who are hosting this conference are eager to hold it prior to President-elect Trump assuming office. Trump has vowed to support Israel. (During the recent USA elections, this website discussed reasons to support Trump that included trying to preclude the division of Israel – we now see how important this was.)
It is highly unlikely that the conference can produce anything that can be taken to the United Nations for a vote prior to the end of the Obama Administration, but it is likely that some sort of proposal will be made encouraging the division of Israel.
Some have noticed that “70” nations are participating (the same number as the original number of gentile nations formed after the scattering of peoples after the Tower of Babel). I find the number interesting, but these are not the original 70 which were all in and around the Middle East. The number “70” is coincidental to me rather than meaningful.
Why Do Muslims Want the Land?
It is important to understand why Islamists desire the Land of Israel. Their “holy” book, the Quran, dictates that Muslims spread their religion through warfare. They are told Allah will aid them in the process. The fact that Israel defeated the nations that came against them in 1967 and took land from the invading nations not only fills them with shame, but is an indication to them that Allah let them down. Many believe this is a sign that they are unworthy. Reclaiming all the land of Israel would be a sign of Allah’s favor. A two-state solution would be a first step in the process.
What does the Bible say about Dividing the Land?
The Book of Joel clearly indicates that the dividing of the land of Israel will be a basis God uses for judging the nations:
I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land. (Joel 3:2)
This is a clear indication that the land of Israel will be divided at some point. Despite the fact that this will happen someday, we should not throw up our hands and do nothing. Rather we should everything in our power to prevent this evil deed.
However, we all must be aware that it will happen someday. God has ordained it. It is not the end, but rather a sign that Jesus is close to returning to establish HIS Kingdom in Israel, reuniting Jew and Gentile believers.
Will a UN Agreement Dividing the Land be the Covenant with the Many?
The “Covenant with the Many” is found in Dan. 9:27 and is what starts the 70th Week of Daniel; the last 7 years prior to Armageddon and the establishment of Jesus’s Kingdom on Earth. Could a UN Two State Agreement be the “Covenant” discussed in Daniel? If one is signed it could be. Let’s look at the Requites of the Covenant:
And he shall make a strong (GABAR, meaning to strengthen) covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator. (Dan. 9:27)
From this seminal verse we learn that the Antichrist will make the covenant with “many” (the “many” could be the UN). He will strengthen an existing covenant. (Could this be the recent UNSC agreement? Perhaps it is, or more likely it is another covenant yet to come.) Third, because we see that sacrifices will be eliminated they must be started! So the beginning of Jewish sacrifices is required.
The word “Covenant” is a reference to the Covenant with Death and Sheol in Isaiah 28:
Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by, for we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception. . . Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. . . Your covenant with death will be canceled, and your pact with Sheol will not stand; When the overwhelming scourge passes through, then you become its trampling place. (Isa. 28:15-16, 18)
From this we can see the Covenant will also be a peace treaty (which will be broken).
Let’s summarize these points:
- It is established by the Antichrist
- It strengthens an existing covenant
- It establishes a peace accord
- It permits Jewish sacrifices
If a Covenant involving Israel contains these four points, it is a candidate for the Covenant with the Many. Will that Covenant divide the land of Israel? It might, but that isn’t clear. The Covenant that divides might be an earlier agreement of the UN. In order to get Israel to sign it, the peace accord provisions and permission of sacrifices might be added as “sweetener.”
Additionally, if Dan. 9:21-23 describes the events around the signing of this covenant, then a military defeat of Israel (Dan. 11:22) will precede it as well and may lead to the signing.
How Close Could We Be to the Tribulation?
In conclusion, this is certainly a time when all Christians need to be “watching’ the signs that precede Jesus’s return. I believe in watching for signs not date setting. We are probably very close to the 70th Week beginning, but there will be much deception during the years ahead. Do not be misled into thinking that every agreement that recommends dividing the land is THE Covenant. That Covenant will have several specific features that will help identify it for us.
However, the take-away for all of us is to be busy about the Lord’s business. In the next weeks, those who receive emails from this ministry will begin to learn about the “Mystery Project” that I have discussed in the past and how every follower of this ministry can participate in it.
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