(A Darker Engagement: How the Antichrist Will Present Himself to Israel)

The Antichrist will never sign a “peace treaty” with Israel. That idea has circulated for many decades, and it fits with how contemporary politics work, but the Bible paints a far darker reality, as I understand it. Daniel and Revelation describe him not as a smiling negotiator but as a fierce, blasphemous ruler whose very presence demands obedience.

A Fierce Ruler from the Beginning

Daniel 8:23 says he will arise as “a king having fierce countenance, who understands sinister schemes.” This is not the profile of a gentle mediator. From the beginning, he will carry a fierceness and intensity that casts a shadow forward to his blasphemous and genocidal career.

Zechariah 11:16 gives a glimpse into that character: “For behold, I am going to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those being annihilated, seek the young, heal the broken, or sustain the one standing, but will consume the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hoofs.” This passage reveals the kind of shepherd he will be. His concern will never be for Israel’s good but for his own power and gain.

The Covenant of Strength

Scripture indicates that the Antichrist’s first direct engagement with Israel, the event that begins the Tribulation, is his making a firm covenant with them for seven years. Daniel 9:27 states that he will “make a firm covenant with the many for one week.” The Hebrew word carries the sense of enforcing or imposing by strength. Taken grammatically and literally, this covenant cannot be a political agreement between equals. It is a decree imposed by a superior authority.

This is where the popular interpretation of a “peace treaty” falls short. Israel will not be flattered or convinced into a covenant. They will be commanded. The Antichrist comes as a powerful Roman ruler who compels Israel to return to covenant worship, rebuilding the Temple, and resuming sacrifices under his demand.

The Apostasy of Israel’s Leaders

The tragedy is that Israel’s leaders will embrace him. Paul warned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 that the day of the Lord will not come “unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.” As Mondo Gonzalez from Prophecy Watchers has shown, apostasia here is best understood as rebellion. Since the church has been raptured, this rebellion points to Israel’s leadership formally rejecting Christ again by receiving the man of lawlessness in His place.

Jesus foretold this very moment in John 5:43: “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him.” The covenant of Daniel 9:27 is that act of rebellion.

His Motive from the Start

Why does this Roman ruler demand Israel’s covenant worship? Because his ultimate goal is both self-deification and the destruction of Israel. To achieve this, he must deceive them. At the beginning of the Tribulation, he is already strong as head of the revived Roman federation, yet he has not secured the global authority to reveal his true intent. He therefore cloaks his ambition under a seven-year covenant, commanding the rebuilding of the Temple and the return of sacrifices. This convinces Israel that he is the defender of their ancient religious rites, while in reality, he is buying himself time. By the midpoint, once he has risen to global rule, he will abolish the sacrifices, desecrate the Temple, and declare himself to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

The Dark Reversal

History will repeat itself. Two thousand years ago, Israel was in the land under Roman power. The Temple stood, sacrifices were offered, and the leaders, hardened in unbelief, cried out, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). In the coming Tribulation, Israel will once again stand in her land, again under Roman authority, again led by apostate leaders, again embracing a foreign ruler instead of the true Messiah.

The difference is that this ruler will exalt himself above every god. Only in the fire of tribulation will their pride be broken, just as Daniel 12:7 says that the power of the holy people will be shattered. As the Lord declares in Hosea 5:15, “I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” At last, Israel will recognize the true Messiah, looking upon the One whom they pierced (Zechariah 12:10).

Closing thought: It is comforting to see how God, in His wisdom, is placing Israel back into the same circumstances she faced two thousand years ago, giving her a second chance. History will come full circle, but this time it will end in redemption. God knows exactly what it will take to bring His chosen nation to repentance, and in the end, they will behold their true Messiah. If He is so merciful and patient with Israel after centuries of unbelief, then we can be assured of the blessings He has promised to all who believe in His Son and walk with Him today.

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About the Author

Alexander Major is a nonprofit leader and graduate of Southern California Seminary, a dispensational school located on the campus of Shadow Mountain Community Church, pastored by Dr. David Jeremiah. He can be reached at atmajor@gmail.com.

 

 

John 3:19-21; “And this is the judgment; the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the Light, and does not come to the Light lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the Light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (ESV – all emphasis is mine).

John 12:44-46; “And Jesus cried out and said, ‘Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me but Him who sent me. And whoever sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come into the world as Light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness.’”

If our Lord and Savior had never come in “human” form, and if He had never shed His “sinless” blood so that all humans could have a real choice about their eternity, then we would at least have an excuse for living a life of sin. The thing is, we would still be lost in God’s eyes.

We would still be under the pre-Calvary mosaic law of trying to atone for our sins. We would still be offering the blood of bulls and goats, which never could take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). These were sacrifices that became subject to rules and regulations set by men, which our Heavenly Father never would condone.

Because our Savior “freely” gave Himself according to the will of our Heavenly Father, we have a true, pure, Holy, and acceptable pathway to eternal life with Him. Hebrews 10:14; “For by a single offering, He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

One note here: if anyone believes they would be able to make some sort of sacrifice that would make them “worthy” to enter Heaven, they would be insulting our Savior, and ultimately the Heavenly Father. This is one of Satan’s evil ploys, and unfortunately, there are many who still are taken in by it.

For anyone to rely on themselves, I have listed Ephesians 2:8-9 numerous times: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, Not a result of works so that no one may boast.” There is no room here to add anything that we humans could do in place of this.

For all the false prophets and antichrists already in the world, we’re told in 1 John 2:22-25, “Who is the liar, but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ [Messiah]? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard in the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise He made to us – Eternal Life.”

The book of 1 John was written between 85 and 95 A.D., and he states there were already antichrists and false prophets here. From that time to the present day, these evil entities have been working under the influence of Satan, preparing for the ultimate appearance of the final antichrist and false prophet.

Even though all the signs showing that the end of this age is imminent have been present at one time or another, they have not all been here at the same time as they are now. These signs can be found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, 2 Thessalonians 2, and 2 Timothy 3.

The only remaining sign that will signal the final seven years of this age is given in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and also 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. This event is known as The Taking Up or Rapture, which will open the door for the entry of the ultimate antichrist to lead this earth through the worst period of time ever.

To miss this event, all who will have received and accepted Jesus as their Savior will be removed from here before the antichrist can even appear, and they will be kept from the wrath of the Father. That’s promised in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10.

For anyone who is not presently prepared, right now would be a great time to follow the steps to Salvation as given in Romans 10:9-13. Admit or confess you are a sinner, as we all are (Romans 6:23); Believe and have faith that Jesus is the true Son of God who gave the ultimate sacrifice for all who will receive and accept Him; and Call out to Jesus to come into your heart and be your eternal Savior.

Only then can you truly say you have seen the light. In 1948, Hank Williams, Sr. (9/1923 – 1/1953) wrote and sang, “I Saw The Light.” It’s one of the more popular Southern Gospel Songs, and the message is for all time.

1.) I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin; I wouldn’t let my dear Savior in. Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night; Praise The Lord! I saw the Light!

Ref) I saw the Light, I saw the Light, no more darkness, no more night. Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight. Praise the Lord! I saw the Light!

2.) Just like a blind man, I wandered along; worries and fears I claimed for my own. Then like a blind man that God gave back his sight, Praise The Lord! I saw the Light! (ref)

3.) I was a fool to wander and stray; for straight is the gate and narrow’s the way. Now I have traded the wrong for the right; Praise the Lord! I saw the Light! (ref)

There was a time in my life when, if the Rapture had taken place, I would have missed it and would have been assigned to the line at the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. However, about forty years ago, I had a strong image come into my mind that led me to call out to my Lord and Savior to truly come into my life and add me to His precious flock. I firmly believe it was the efforts of prayer warriors that brought this to me, and ultimately has given me a place with my Savior in Heaven.

Have I been perfect and sinless ever since? No way; however, I have the Father’s promise of forgiveness in 1 John 1:8-10 when I do sin. Also, if I miss a day of reading from His love letter to us (the Bible), I have an uneasy feeling until I take the time to keep this habit fresh.

Our Heavenly Father would love nothing better than for all of us to call out for His Son to save us. However, He will in no way force anyone to do so.

Right now, there is only one unforgivable sin, and that is to take your last breath on this earth without Jesus as your Savior. In the tribulation, taking the mark of the beast (Revelation 14:10) will also be unforgivable.

We are not guaranteed another day here, but we are promised that all who are a part of Jesus’ precious flock will be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Before the antichrist can appear, the Holy Spirit will be removed, and all who are indwelt will be taken up to be with Jesus and avoid any part of that wrath.

And one more word to dispel the “many ways” to heaven lie: in John 14:6, we read, “And Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Think about which forever you wish to spend your eternity in, and make your decision to call out to the Savior to come into your heart right now. It’s totally your choice, and I hope you truly “See The Light!”

Come, Lord Jesus!

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