I am not sure that it is accurate to say that one passage in the Bible is more important than others (ALL of it is the Word of God), so I will just say that Daniel’s Prophecy of Seventy Weeks is as important as it gets (Dan. 9:24-27).
The seventieth week (the Tribulation Period; a week of years; seven years) will begin when the Antichrist confirms (signs or approves) a covenant with many for seven years of peace in the Middle East.
It is a debatable issue, but I believe that can only happen after the Rapture of the Church (I Thess. 1:10, 5:9; II Thess. 2:7-8).
Since the fall of 2017, the news has carried reports about Pres. Trump’s Middle East Peace Proposal.
Over and over again, Trump Administration officials have said things like, “It is almost complete,” “It is being finalized,” “It will soon be released,” “It is being discussed with Arab officials,” etc.
Pres. Trump’s Proposal is not likely the covenant the Antichrist will confirm because part of it may be subject to negotiation, but the completed document could possibly wind up being that covenant.
On March 13, 2018, Pres. Trump’s negotiating team brought together diplomats from Israel and several Arab nations.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the situation in Gaza and issues that needed to be discussed before Pres. Trump’s Peace Proposal is released.
The discussion lasted for six hours and it was reported that things went surprisingly well.
But the next day, DebkaFile reported that Pres. Trump has decided to remove his Peace Proposal from his immediate agenda.
No reason was given in the lone article that I read, but the article did say that Pres. Trump’s Middle East Envoy, Jason Greenblatt, spread the word that Pres. Trump’s plan might be revived in a year or two.
What is going on? Is God delaying the covenant and Tribulation Period? Have Pres. Trump’s Faith Advisors advised him to withdraw? Is this a Trump negotiating tactic? Is the DebkaFile report fake news?
Time will tell and the truth will prevail.
But for whatever it is worth, Pres. Trump’s withdrawal from the peace process or his delaying it suits me just fine.
Pres. Trump said Israel will have to pay a price for his moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. That could be a big mistake.
Hopefully, with the improving relationship between Israel and the Arabs, it is off the table.
I know that many are anxious for Resurrection Day and the Rapture to take place, to see our loved ones again, receive our new bodies and more, but the U.S. should have no part in the division of Jerusalem, scattering the Jews, etc. (Joel 3:2).
We know that the end of the Tribulation Period will finish Israel’s transgression, make an end of Israel’s sins, make reconciliation for Israel’s iniquity, bring in Israel’s everlasting righteousness, seal up Daniel’s vision and prophecy, and anoint the most Holy (Dan. 9:24).
We know that Jesus is coming back as King of kings and Lord of lords, but none of us are anxious for the Tribulation Period to begin.
We long for world peace under the reign of Jesus as He sits on the throne in Jerusalem, but we shudder to think about what will happen to this world first.
Anyway, it is possible that the world is under a pause of undetermined length in the Peace process.
Let’s watch for more information.
Here it is. Since writing this article, I have read that Pres. Trump has delayed his Peace Proposal indefinitely until Mahmoud Abbas is no longer in office. Mr. Abbas is in his 80’s (83 I think) and there have been reports that he is not well.
On the other hand, as this article is being written, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman is in Washington hoping to influence Pres. Trump to restart the Peace process.
There is no question about the peace process winding up with a peace treaty. The questions are what will it say and how long will it take?
Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com