The Prophetic Setup

The world is buzzing with concerns about what will happen next in the Middle East, or on American soil, but our gaze needs to be lifted past the immediate future, to several prophecies soon to be revealed. 

All of this unrest is setting the stage for a “man of peace,” a political figure, to rise up with promises to bring “peace and security” to the region. He will be seen as smooth and believable, by both the Jews and the Arabs. “By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning, he shall destroy many” (Daniel 8:25). 

He will bring a covenant of peace to Israel and her Arab neighbors…  “And he shall enter into a strong and firm covenant for one week (7 years), and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease” (Daniel 9:27). Take note that there is a temple wherein they are doing sacrifices and offerings, leading many to believe that part of the “peace deal” is a temple for the Jewish people. 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:3, we see the “deceit” he brings on full display…  “While people are saying, ‘There is (finally) peace and security’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” 

This great deceiver, the Antichrist, is certainly alive now and waiting behind the curtain to be revealed. We must continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the Gospel of the Messiah to be heard in the whole Middle East. These are biblical days and prophecy is unfolding before our eyes.

(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)