God has provided us with numerous last day indicators in the Bible. However, one of the most important indicators of the end times is found in Daniel 9:27—because it defines the event that will initiate the Tribulation and the last 7 years. As such, every person on earth should know this scripture and actively watch for the fulfillment of this prophecy. “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, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” Daniel 9:27 To assist in understanding, let’s “break down” this verse into smaller segments. “And he” • The person of “he” is commonly referred to in the Bible as the beast, Antichrist and abomination of desolation. • He is in whom Satan will indwell, and will manipulate, and will control. • He will position himself (and will be perceived) as a friend of Israel—one who knows and understands their needs. “shall confirm the covenant” • He will authorize/sanction/approve a legal act, contract, promise, or agreement. • The covenant will be a deceptive lie—because Satan has no intentions of keeping the promise. “with the many” • The word “many” includes Israel and Israel’s enemies. • This requires extraordinary power and/or negotiation skills to cause Israel’s enemies to yield to Israel’s desires. “for one week” • One week equates to 7 years in the Bible. • These 7 years comprise the Tribulation. • The Tribulation is divided into two 3½ periods. “and in the midst of the week” • The midst (or middle) of the week is 3½ years. • This is when the beast will reveal his true Satan- driven objectives for the covenant. “he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease” • These words are key in that they reveal the underlying purpose and deceptive lie behind the covenant. • The covenant will initially allow Israelites to perform sacrifices and offerings as instructed in the Old Testament. • This covenant also means the Temple must be rebuilt to enable the resumption of sacrifices and offerings. • 3½ years is sufficient time to rebuild the Temple—which was destroyed almost 2,000 years ago. • Satan was cast out of Heaven because he wanted to be greater than God (Isaiah 14:14). His delusional mind has not changed. As such, the only place on earth he considers worthy to declare his vain desire to be worshiped as God is in the place where God last inhabited amongst His people. • The existence of the rebuilt Temple in the last days is reinforced Matthew 24:15. Jesus warned “‘Therefore, when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place’ (whoever reads, let him understand), ‘then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.’” • This is when the beast (in whom Satan dwells) will stand in the Temple proclaiming to be God. But what’s more, this is when the beginning of absolute devastation, desolation and death will occur unlike any time in the history of man as: o The beast seeks to cause desolation. o God pours out His wrath.   “and for the overspreading of abominations” • Overspreading is defined as to form a layer over, to blanket, cover, enclose, encompass, and so forth. • Abomination is defined as something regarded with disgust or hatred. • His abominations will reach far and wide, and he will decimate and control nations. But worse, he will defile the Temple, speak blasphemies against God, and attack the saints (those who believe in Jesus Christ). o “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Revelation 13:4 o “Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.” Revelation 13:6 o “And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” Revelation 13:7 “he shall make it desolate” • Desolate is defined as devoid of inhabitants; to divide, annihilate, destroy, and so forth. • Desolate (from Satan’s perspective) means to murder the spiritual life in every person’s heart and soul. “even until the consummation” • Consummation is defined as completion, end, conclusion, and so forth. • The beast will not stop until he is destroyed (at the Battle of Armageddon). “and that determined” • The words “that determined” is God’s wrath. • God’s wrath during this period is defined in Revelation. o The seven trumpets (Revelation chapters 8-11): ▪ Trumpet 1: 1/3 of earth, trees and all grass to be burned ▪ Trumpet 2: 1/3 of the ocean, sea life and ships to be destroyed ▪ Trumpet 3: 1/3 of all fresh water to be destroyed. ▪ Trumpet 4: 1/3 of the sun, moon, and stars to no longer shine ▪ Trumpet 5: Agony and misery for all that accept the mark ▪ Trumpet 6: Death of 1/3 mankind ▪ Trumpet 7: God takes control o The seven bowls (Revelation chapter 16): ▪ Bowl 1: Causes festering sores on all that accepted the mark ▪ Bowl 2: Changes the ocean into blood ▪ Bowl 3: Changes all drinkable water into blood ▪ Bowl 4: Causes people to be seared by the sun ▪ Bowl 5: Judgment is poured out on the throne of the beast ▪ Bowl 6: The Euphrates River is dried up ▪ Bowl 7: Armageddon “shall be poured upon the desolate.” • God’s wrath will be poured upon the desolate (spiritually dead). The desolate are those who: o Rejected Jesus Christ. o Were deceived and followed the beast. o Accepted the beast’s mark. • God’s wrath will begin once the beast stands in the Holy Place and will continue until the conclusion of the Battle of Armagedd on (the Great Tribulation). When you “stand back” and “look at the big picture,” Daniel 9:27 represents the most critical transitional indicator of the last days. As such, (in the background of our mind) we need to continually look for an event or public announcement that include the words “ resumption of sacrifices and offerings .” This announcement will likely: • Be part of a negotiated peace settlement with one or more of Israel’s enemies. • Include a reference to the rebuilding of the Temple. The Temple The picture above is a model of the Temple (in the Israel Museum) prior to its destruction. Jesus warned the Temple would be destroyed (Matthew 24:2). The Temple was destroyed in 70AD by the Romans and has not been rebuilt. Thereafter, Israelites left their homeland and were scattered throughout world. For almost 2,000 years Jews have not been able to perform sacrifices and offerings for their sins as defined in the Old Testament. T he picture above is the Temple Mount today (where the Temple was located). The Temple Mount is considered holy and sacred by Jews and Muslims. The Dome of the Rock (a Muslim shrine) was built on the Temple Mount in 691 AD. A Muslim mosque, Al-Aqsa, was also built on the Temple Mount in 705 AD. Since this time the Temple Mount has been managed by the Muslim community of Jerusalem. During the 1967 Six-Day War Israel captured the Temple Mount together with all of East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan. Soon thereafter, the Israeli government gave control of the site back to the Muslim community of Jerusalem. It’s important to note that preparation for the rebuilding of the Temple is ongoing—by developing the architectural plans and recreating the biblically-defined articles for the Temple (sacred vessels, menorah, the High Priest’s breastplate, etc.). To learn more, see the Temple Institute website: ( https://www.templeinstitute.org/ ). Here is a very interesting point to consider…there are many rabbis in Israel who are predicting the coming of the Messiah is very soon. What’s sad…if you ask the rabbis…How will you know your Messiah? How will you know he is the true Messiah? Invariably their answer will be "He will build the Temple. He will help us to build the Temple."  Now take a moment and envision the joyous and celebratory response by the Israelites upon the announcement to resume sacrifices and offerings and the rebuilding of the Temple. • All of Israel will finally see a “door open” that will enable the fulfillment of their long-awaited desires. • Consider Israel’s response of praise and adoration to the one who claims responsibility for the covenant. Now add to your vision of the future…those who know the truth. This includes Jews and gentiles who know prophetic scripture; understand these are the last days; are aware of the beast’s intentions; and are able to spiritually see the lies and delusional affect the beast has upon those who are in darkness. Those who know the truth will attempt to explain and warn. Now consider the turmoil, heated arguments and division that will occur when attempts are made by the enlightened to convince the religious leaders of the false covenant. However, those who are in control will reject any idea that the ongoing events are a fulfillment of Daniel 9:27; and will use inaccurate counter arguments to attest the covenant is real. So, with open and willing hearts, the Israelites will rebuild the Temple for the one who will: • Use it for his vain glory. • Destroy what was built. Jesus said, “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.” John 5:43 But remember…this is all a fulfillment of God’s prophetic word. For those who know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord…the false covenant will strengthen their faith, and cause their heart to become more resolute against the ever-increasing darkness. After 3½ years have passed—when the covenant is broken—is when the beast’s true intentions will be manifest. Satan will seek to fulfill his heart’s vain desire to be worshiped like God (which caused him and 1/3 of the angels to be cast out of Heaven in the first place). “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” Isaiah 14:12-14 By force he will desecrate (damage, defile) the temple; stop sacrifices and offerings; and will stand in the holy place proclaiming to the world he is exalted above God. His hatred will spew from his mouth as he speaks blasphemy (disrespect, profanity, slander) towards God and Heaven, and will wage war against God’s holy people—until God’s wrath is complete. “And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.” Daniel 11:31 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.” Daniel 11:36-37 “Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” Revelation 13:5-7 When the beast breaks the covenant and stands in the Temple proclaiming to be God is when Satan’s absolute hatred will be unleashed. Jesus describes this period of time as “great tribulation.” There will be pain, and suffering, and hardship, and death unlike any period of time in the past, nor in the future. But what’s more, Jesus provided Israelites with instructions on what to do when the beast stands in the Temple proclaiming to be God. “‘Therefore, when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place’ (whoever reads, let him understand), ‘then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.’” Matthew 24:15-21 Jewish Remnant A number of Jews (the “woman” below) will be protected during the final 3½ years of the Tribulation. These are they who will flee into the wilderness. Note: A time, and times, and half a time also equates to 3½ years in the Bible. “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:14-17 Some believe the wilderness area where Israelites will flee is Petra (in southern Jordan)—which has protective structures (palaces, temples, tombs, storerooms and stables) carved into canyon walls. In the same manner God kept a remnant of people safe during the flood (Noah and his family), God will also keep a remnant of Jews safe during the final days—who will enter into the Millennial Kingdom reign of Jesus Christ when He returns. The Return of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ first came as a lamb for the atonement for our sins. However, the Israelites believed the Messiah would come as a warier and one who would destroy their enemies on earth. But God had a different plan in that His Son—the Messiah and Anointed One—would do something much greater. Jesus willingly gave His body and shed His blood as a sacrifice for our sins. What’s more, He replaced the need to shed the blood of animals for the forgiveness of sins—because the body and blood of God’s Son was the one and only perfect sacrifice—so that all may receive forgiveness for sins. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 Jesus Christ is the new covenant—in Whom God’s grace, and love, and forgiveness is manifested—and through Whom God writes His laws upon the tablets of our hearts. “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34 When Jesus Christ returns, He will come as the Israelites have always looked for: as the Lion of Judah to destroy Israel’s enemies. This is when the Israelites will realize the truth, God’s grace and God’s love—and they will mourn—because they failed to recognize God’s intent and plan in sacrificing His Son, Jesus. “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” Zechariah 12:10 Pray for Israel and Protect Israelites Although Israel will believe in the beast’s covenant, it is critically important to realize and remember: 1 . God is in control. 2 . Their mistake is fulfillment of prophecy. 3 . The Israelites are God’s chosen people. “ I will take you as My people, and I will be your God.” (Exodus 6:7). What’s more, God made a promise that He will bless those who support and protect Israel. “ I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.” Genesis 12:3 But what is even more important, there will be a remnant of non-Jews who will also survive the Tribulation. Jesus will judge them based upon what they did—or did not do—for the Israelites. Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’” “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25: 31-46 What you can do to prepare. As the world deteriorates in darkness… ask yourself the following question: Is my heart right with God? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 Now is the time to receive that which God has freely given us in His Son. Now is the time to be forgiven for all that you have done…and for all of eternity. Think about it…nothing else in this life is more important! Any argument, any reasoning and any thought that attempts to justify otherwise…is a lie. Now is the time to turn and humbly seek the One who loves us beyond measure. Heavenly Father I am a sinner. I thank you God for sending your Son to die for my sins. Jesus…I believe in You and what You have done for me. Lord…I give you my life, my heart and my soul. Holy Spirit…change me from within. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen I pray you grow in grace and peace… as you fully understand what God has done for us in Jesus Christ… by studying the Bible, praying, and by fellowshipping with Christians. All for His Glory…for He alone is worthy. Harold D. Thomas

Thought-Provoking Questions The purpose of the questions is to facilitate a deeper understanding of the Bible, Bible study topic, and possible future events. The questions may be answered by each reader; or used by a Bible study group leader or church pastor. The following questions should be answered or discussed after reading “The Covenant.” Each question is based upon personal opinions. As such, no answers are provided. O What type of events may occur in/around Israel before the covenant is announced? O Do you think the implementation of the covenant will be known globally? If yes, why and how? O How will the Israelites: • Respond to the covenant? • Perceive the beast? O Will the beast seek recognition for the covenant? O Do you think some will attempt to warn the Israelites (and the world) about the biblically-defined truth and future consequences of the covenant? If yes: • When the covenant is introduced: o How will Israelites respond to the warnings? o How will the rest of the world respond to the warnings? o How will those who warn be depicted by those who are in darkness? • 3½ years after the covenant is confirmed, and as the warnings are fulfilled: o How will the Israelites respond? o How will the rest of the world respond? O Is it important to keep abreast of events that are occurring in Israel? Explain. The questions may be viewed and downloa ded as a PDF file by clicking on this button. Can you think of someone who could benefit from reading this lesson? If yes, CLICK HERE for more info.

The words of Jesus Christ are in red text.