The general conception among teachers of prophecy in Evangelical circles is that the Tribulation either begins with the Rapture of the faithful believers or the initiation of a false peace by the Antichrist with Israel. While both of these may end up being true because their timing might coincide with the actual start of the Tribulation, neither of them mark the beginning of the seven-year period we commonly call the Tribulation.

This period represents not just the showdown with the antichrist spirit but is the culmination of ‘God’s plan of salvation and the Messianic promise to the Jewish nation. It has been referred to by many prophets through the ages and in various ways by Jesus, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Paul, John, Peter and the book of Revelation as well as dozens of other books of the Bible. But of all the places in which it is mentioned, Daniel verse 9:27 is the one place that definitely declares what constitutes the start of the Tribulation and how long it will last. Daniel’s vision of the 70th week is the first scripture to reveal that the Tribulation has a predetermined duration of seven years.

It also declares that this seven-year period will begin when the prince (Antichrist) confirms the covenant with many for one “week“. In this one verse, the Lord strikes at the very heart of the Antichrist and shows us not only how he will be known but also what his mission actually is.

What is meant by “the covenant” which this “vile person” (as he is called in chapter 11) confirms with many for seven years? It seems only reasonable that it must be used in the context of the Jewish covenant of the Old Testament. Any other idea of confirming the covenant is stretching credibility. To the Jew, this covenant comprises the land and promises made to the fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the covenant of the law which was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai.

Chapter 11 of Daniel refers to this covenant he made as “the holy covenant“. Dan. 11:28 This covenant must have something to do with Mosaic religion and probably something to do with the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Some sort of deal will likely be struck between hostile Arabs and Muslims that will give them a trade-off for a settlement in the Palestinian problem and give the Jews their Temple, probably on the Temple Mount.

We know that the Jewish Temple must be rebuilt because much of the Antichrist’s religious activity that is of paramount importance for his ruling the world takes place and is centered around activities in the Jewish Temple. There is no other meaning that can be attached to the word ‘covenant’ which triggers the 70th Week than God’s religious sacred covenant with Israel. The point is that the Antichrist will be known beyond any shadow of a doubt by his helping to reestablish Jewish religion and putting the Arab problem seemingly at rest. The Tribulation will begin that day when the agreement is inked when this man “confirms the covenant with many“. This is the very moment of the beginning of the Tribulation, not the Rapture, not false peace, not the forming of the ten nations or the inauguration of a president over a European confederation, not tumults and wars, or pestilence – these are signs of the end, yes – (though any or all of these could happen simultaneously to the start of the Tribulation), it is the deal that is connected somehow to the “holy” covenant. We watch for this, though we watch for Christ’s appearance first and foremost. But who knows we may not have yet been Raptured before the start of the 70th Week. Only time shall tell.

The reason this point is important is that it also reveals much about the mission and spirit of the Antichrist and the subtleties of his religious deceptions. “To confirm the covenant” means he will be a religious man. He will be a champion of the Jewish religion. He will sponsor the reestablishment of Jewish law and he will ordain the re-institution of sacrifice in a rebuilt and renewed temple. The confirmation of the covenant of God’s people may even take place with the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremonies of the new Temple, or it may be at the ceremony of the groundbreaking for the Temple.

The Tribulation is inexorably connected to the setting up of the temple and the re-establishment of Mosaic Law. Consider, “and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease“. Dan 9:27 For this to happen, the sacrifices and oblations of the law must be renewed. The Antichrist will be the one behind their establishment. The sacrifices and offerings for Israel will be reinstituted largely due to his efforts and influence. It will look good and godly. He will look and fit perfectly the part of a modern day David to the Jews. He will be comfortable in the temple, sure and mighty in war, clever in diplomacy, and apparently, have the anointing of God resting on his charismatic and yet humble head. The reason the Antichrist must establish the temple and reinstate the law and sacrifices is because his mission is to set himself up as God, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. ” That’s what Paul warned in his letter to the church of Thessalonica.

To do this the Antichrist must be in Jerusalem, sitting upon God’s own throne. This is the act that is so abominable that it makes everything desolate. Christians speak of the time when the Holy Ghost will be driven out of the earth and no longer convict men of sin. This is the moment in the midst of the week (Tribulation) by which things become desolate, because of this incredible blasphemy of making himself God. This is the same abomination of desolation that Jesus spoke of and urged that everyone should run for the hills when they hear it has happened. The 70th week is coming upon us, but God wants the end-times saint to know that the Rapture is also coming and, as He promised to the faithful believers in Philadelphia, we can be kept from this terrible hour if will we heed His warnings and walk according to His ways.

This is why it is appropriate to cry out – Come Soon, Lord Jesus – Come Soon!

Taken from “The Book of Daniel” by Terry Myers Smith