(OPINION) Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to bring full peace agreements with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries if he wins the election for the 25th Knesset this fall and forms a government. Netanyahu said: “I would like to express my appreciation to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, for his contribution to the achievement of the four historic peace agreements we have brought – the ‘Abraham Accords.'”
“If I return to lead the State of Israel on your behalf, I intend to bring about full peace agreements with Saudi Arabia and also with other Arab countries,” Netanyahu added. While Netanyahu’s return to power is far from a certainty, it does show the desire of Israeli leaders to expand the peace agreements that have begun with several Arab nations through the ‘Abraham Accords’ – regardless of who might win the upcoming elections.
Peace with Saudi Arabia, the heart of the Sunni Muslim world would be an amazing turn of events after continuous wars since Israel’s creation. Some would call such a peace agreement even ‘prophetic’. Prophecy teachers have long warned that one of the single most important prophetic events to watch for as an indication of the start of the ‘tribulation period’ is the signing/ratifying of a 7-year peace accord between Israel and many nations.
This prophetic period of time is detailed in the Book of Daniel as well as throughout the book of Revelation. Daniel 9:27 warns us that this specific prophetic period of time will begin when “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’, he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple, he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”
Several key details are important in this passage that scholars have debated for centuries including the reference to “He”. Most Bible experts agree this is a reference to who Jesus calls the “abomination that causes desolation” (Matthew 24:15) and is called “the beast” in Revelation 13. He is most commonly known by the term the “Antichrist”. This Antichrist figure will be a world leader with influence/control over 10 leaders or 10 regions and be a key player in bringing about or ratifying/expanding current treaties (Abraham Accords?).
This Antichrist figure will be exposed for the false leader that he is when he breaks this covenant/agreement for peace halfway through, putting a stop to sacrifice in the rebuilt Jewish temple and declaring himself God (abomination of desolation). A key component of this peace agreement appears to be a rebuilt Jewish temple.
PNW regularly includes articles on the developments in Israel to bring about the rebuilt temple including the training of priests, the search for a red heifer, the reconstruction of temple instruments, etc… the main ingredient missing is the heart of the majority of the Jewish people to see the temple rebuilt and the political will to do in the midst of a hostile Arab world.
Could a future peace agreement provide for such a temple? It is hard to see the Muslim world ever agreeing to a Jewish temple near the Dome of the Rock, however, if Saudi Arabia was to sign a treaty with Israel a religious component would make sense as it represents the center of Islam. Should Saudi Arabia sign, countless other Arab nations could follow, thus the “many” reference in Daniel. READ MORE
