#941

Peace in Our Time? Trump, Bibi, and Bible Prophecy

Famous Peace Treaties

There have been a lot of important and famous treaties signed and one that stands out for Americans was the Treaty of Paris in 1973. In an article from the National Interest:

The Treaty of Paris (1783), which is the oldest treaty signed by the United States still in effect, ended the American Revolution and established the United States—for that reason alone, it is one of the most consequential treaties in world history. The Treaty of Paris didn’t just establish the United States; it did so on highly favorable terms.

The Article then gave us more details for how impactful the treaty was:

The American negotiating team, led by John Jay, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams played their hand astoundingly well. America’s allies, France and Spain, did not want the United States to make a separate peace; however, as fighting continued to rage in the Caribbean and Gibraltar, this is exactly what the Americans sought, as they felt they would get a better deal by directly dealing with London. The French had hoped that America would be a small and weak state between the Atlantic and Appalachians, with the British keeping the lands north of the Ohio River and the Spanish controlling a buffer state to the south. Instead, the British decided that a strong and economically successful America was in their interests and against French interests and were convinced to give the new state all the land up to the Mississippi river as well as fishing rights in Canada. This enabled the United States to later expand westward and become a major continental power.

Presently the peace agreements brokered with Iran and Hezbollah and Israel are holding things in place in the Middles East for now. And a truce with Hamas is in the works. But as for that region, there is a future peace agreement that Bible prophecy students know all about.

Current Events

Before we talk about that, let’s explore recent events as detailed in an article from the Prophecy News Watch:

In a rapidly shifting Middle East, a seismic announcement may be on the horizon. Senior Israeli officials, backed by confirmations from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, suggest that several unexpected nations are preparing to join the Abraham Accords. Some of these, such as Syria and Lebanon, have been traditional enemies of Israel for decades. Now, under growing U.S. pressure and amid dramatic regional realignments, these nations may soon take historic steps toward peace and normalization. But for students of Bible prophecy, this development raises weightier questions than mere geopolitics. Could this unprecedented alignment between Israel and its neighbors represent the very covenant that the prophet Daniel warned about? Are we witnessing the early scaffolding of a peace deal that will one day be confirmed by the Antichrist himself?

Good question. But they need the war against Hamas ended to move forward:

The potential expansion of the Abraham Accords could represent the most dramatic diplomatic breakthrough in modern Middle Eastern history. Multiple reports now indicate that the US is applying pressure to have the war in Gaza end in a matter of weeks, with Egypt, the UAE, and two other Arab nations assuming administrative control over Gaza. Hamas will be dismantled and exiled. Hostages will be released. Some Gazans will be granted asylum abroad.

And this is where things get a little sticky in my opinion:

And this is only the beginning. According to high-level sources, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and perhaps even Iraq may join the Abraham Accords. In exchange, Israel is expected to express conditional openness to a two-state solution--so long as the Palestinian Authority undergoes sweeping reforms. Meanwhile, the United States will offer recognition of limited Israeli sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria.

Two-state solution run by the PA? Only limited sovereignty in Judea and Samaria? Rather than vent now, let’s continue to see how the article details this.

A Confirmed Agreement

The dramatic events of the US bombing Iran’s nuclear program appears to be the key event for the Abraham Accords to be jumpstarted:

These dramatic moves follow a regional power shift catalyzed by Iran's defeat and the crumbling of its regional influence. As Hussain Abdul-Hussain writes in the New York Post, "Without Iran breathing down their necks, its neighbors can focus on their own national interests. That means peace with Israel."

Inside Israel there is advertising that points to a new coalition:

Even more stunning are billboards now appearing in Tel Aviv that promote a "New Middle East" and the so-called "Abraham Shield Plan." These ads feature Donald Trump alongside leaders of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and UAE--but also of Lebanon, Qatar, and Syria. These latter nations have historically been hostile toward Israel. But now, peace may be not just possible, but imminent.

Peace in the Middle East? I’ve heard about that before and the article points it out, too:

For those who follow biblical prophecy, the idea of many nations coming together in a peace agreement with Israel immediately brings Daniel 9:27 to mind:

"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..."

The “he” mentioned is commonly seen as the one world leader prophesied as the Beast, the Man of Sin. The article seems to think the word “confirm” in Daniel 9:27 is very important:

Bible prophecy scholars have long interpreted this as a reference to a future world leader--the Antichrist--who will not necessarily create a new peace treaty, but confirm an existing one. That word "confirm" implies something already in existence, perhaps partial or tentative, that this leader enforces or finalizes with authority.

And it will not just be for Israel as another phrase is highlighted:

Notably, Daniel's prophecy says this will be a covenant "with many." That language now rings with chilling familiarity. The Abraham Accords were originally signed by Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain in 2020, and later joined by Morocco and Sudan. But the current rumors speak of a larger expansion--possibly involving several nations.

And then the question that would put this smack dab in the middle of fulfilled prophecy is broached:

Could we be seeing the formation of the very structure that the Antichrist will one day "confirm"?

Could we?

A Matter Of Identity

One Bible prophecy teacher from my early days of Christianity said the Antichrist would be an Assyrian Jew. Others point to being from Europe and headquartered in Rome. The article offers that detail and more:

Many scholars believe that the Antichrist will arise not from Israel, but from a foreign power represented by the former Roman Empire--possibly Europe or even a global coalition. His external status is critical: he will be seen as a neutral party, able to guarantee peace and security to both Israel and its enemies. But Daniel warns that his promises are deceitful. Halfway through the seven-year period--the "week"--he will break his word, desecrate the Jewish temple, and unleash persecution. This figure, who rides in initially as a savior on a white horse (Revelation 6:2), will be revealed as a destroyer.

The clamoring for peace in the Middle East is tantalizing, especially for Israel:

As we watch nations line up for peace, we must remember that biblical peace is not merely the absence of war--it is the presence of truth, righteousness, and the Messiah Himself. The Antichrist's peace will be counterfeit. It will be seductive. It will offer the world what it craves: safety, prosperity, unity--but at the price of truth and ultimately, at the cost of Israel's trust.

Going back to the Abraham Accords, by itself it sounds like a good plan:

The Abraham Accords may very well be a tremendous good in the present. Who could argue against hostages being freed, Gaza being liberated from Hamas, and Arab nations coming together to embrace Israel? But we are warned in Scripture that even good beginnings can be used by evil ends.

US President Donald Trump really, really wants to be the peacemaker he promised as he ran for office. Before we go any further I caution us to pump the brakes on Trump being the Antichrist. Could he be playing a part in the Daniel 9 deal, though? It sounds that like it:

Already, we are hearing of dramatic U.S. pressure on Israeli leaders. Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to visit Washington soon, where the final pieces of this emerging agreement may be laid. The presence of an outside power--acting as broker, protector, and guarantor--aligns strikingly with Daniel's forecast.

Peace, But At What Cost?

A lot of people will be encouraged and happy for a peace deal in the Middle East and I would be one of them. But I always temper my emotions with Bible prophecy as the article tells us:

In the days to come, many will praise this peace. And indeed, there may be much to celebrate. But for believers, we must also be alert. The words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 ring with ominous clarity:

"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them..."

As Christians, we are called to be watchmen on the walls. We do not reject peace--but we discern the times. We pray for Jerusalem's safety, even as we recognize that lasting peace will not come until the Prince of Peace returns.

That is so true. We’ve seen a lot of temporary peace deals in history, ones we thought for sure would hold but ended as situations changed. On the peace Jesus brings will last. A word of caution is given next:

So as Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and others move closer to normalization with Israel, and as leaders speak boldly of a new Middle East, let us not be lulled into spiritual sleep.

The covenant may be real. The peace may be temporary. But the stage may already be set for something far greater--and far more dangerous.

The authors of this article mentions contrasting peace offers just ahead:

Watch. Pray. And remember: not every rider on a white horse is our Savior. Some come to deceive. And one, in particular, is soon to rise.

Maranatha.

I couldn’t agree more. Lord Jesus come quickly!