Daniel 9:27 Begins With a Vote in Israel?

Did you know that Israel has a law requiring a referendum (nationwide public vote) to be held for any peace deal that involves a withdrawal of territory by Israel? The purpose of this article is to discuss the implications that this law may have on the future fulfillment of Daniel 9:27, particularly the “covenant with many”, which could bring Mideast peace.

Many people believe that the seven year “covenant with many” mentioned in Daniel 9:27 may relate to a Mideast peace deal.

“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)

The term “covenant with many” implies that multiple parties or individuals agree to the covenant instead of by only two parties or two individuals.

  • One way to interpret the word “many” is that it could refer to many parties involved in an agreement, including Israel, the Palestinians, the Antichrist, and their surrounding neighbors. This is a strong possibility because Mideast peace may not be possible without the cooperation of the countries involved in the region and at least someone willing to enforce it.
  • Another way to interpret the word “many” is it could refer to many people within Israel who agree to the conditions of the covenant. This law makes this interpretation possible since many people within Israel would need to vote in favor of a proposed peace deal to get it approved if/when it is brought to a referendum.

Many Bible prophecy commentators view Antiochus Epiphanes IV as a foreshadower of the Antichrist since there are parallels between the careers of Antiochus and the Antichrist. The Book of Daniel speaks about the careers of both men, including the removal of the daily sacrifice in the temple of Jerusalem and the establishment of an abomination of desolation.

I mention the parallels between the two leaders because it is possible that the parallel between the two careers may extend to the confirmation of a covenant with the people of Israel. Although the Book of Maccabees should not be considered inerrant like the Bible should be considered inerrant (only the Bible is inerrant), it described how “wicked men” in Israel persuaded many to agree to the idea of making a covenant with Antiochus.

“(10) And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. (11) In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow. (12) So this device pleased them well. (13) Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen:” (1 Maccabees 1:10-13)

Perhaps a national referendum may need to transpire in Israel on a peace deal involving Israel, the Antichrist, the Palestinians, and/or others if the parallels between the career of Antiochus and the career of Antichrist apply to the confirmation of a covenant.

Another potential impact of a future referendum on a Mideast peace deal is that we would probably have more opportunities to identify the “covenant with many” before the seven years begin than if a referendum is not required. The referendum on a major Mideast peace deal would likely attract a lot of media attention within Israel and outside of Israel given the stakes in the volatile region in the days and weeks leading up to the vote. In contrast, a peace deal without needing a referendum for approval could get approved secretly by the parties involved and get publicly announced shortly before or on the day it goes into effect. In essence, a strong referendum requirement may make it easier for us to identify when the seven years will begin.

If you would like to learn more about how to definitely tell whether the tribulation is underway, click this link for my article on the topic: How to Tell If We’re Living in the Tribulation.

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Wayne Croley
Wayne Croley

Hi! I’ve studied and written about Bible prophecy since I was a teenager. My goal is to make Bible prophecy easy for you to understand while avoiding the sensationalism seen elsewhere. I am the author of several end time books, including Prophecy Proof Insights on the End Times, a comprehensive book about the end times. I hold an M.B.A. and degrees in Managerial Economics and Political Science.

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  1. I just spent 22 years developing the Gabriel Bible. It can be found at http://www.everlastingkingdom.info. I just linked your Daniel 9:27 article to my online verse in Daniel 9 (footnote #4). I will be making more links to your site unless you’d rather I didn’t. However, while my site is about 23 years old, it is now highly censored, and very few people will find it. Good job!

  2. I know the church has largely assumed the covenant with many would be a peace treaty. And it might still be that.

    However, another possibility should be considered. I think it’s very possible the antichrist will “renew” the old covenant….complete with the daily sacrifices, etc. This is something Israel would likely support.

    A word about the mark of the beast: One day during bible study, the phrase “number of names” popped out at me in Ezra. It was connected with the census. The phrase “number of his name” in the old testament refers to the number of sons a man had, or male descendants with his name (not women and children) because it was used for military reference. In Ezra, we learn that the number of names associated with Adonikam was 666. This was the census God gave us of those jews who were allowed to leave Babylon to begin building the second temple.

    There seems to be an awful lot of connections or possible connections!

    It’s noteworthy that the word for covenant in Daniel is the exact same word for covenant that God uses for his own.

    • Very interesting about Adonikam. The name means the “Lord risen up”. I believe Antichrist will claim to rise from the dead at the midpoint of the tribulation. Interesting connection…

  3. Next week an agreement is going to be made which will be announced as a prelude to a two-state solution in Israel.

    Because only the US is sponsoring this Israeli annexation and the rest of the world is vehemently opposing it, Israel is reportedly brokering a deal where they are going to cede 70% of the West Bank to Palestinian control and then annex the other 30%, which includes the Jordan valley, Bethel, Shiloh and other settlements.

    It should be noted that Shiloh contained the Ark of the Covenant for almost 400 years and still holds deep religious importance for the people of Israel. Shiloh essentially represented where the presence of God was from the time of Joshua to Saul. I don’t think this will necessarily represent the treaty mentioned in Daniel, but it could be a prelude to it.

    Israel is going to be pressured to broker peace for a two-state solution I believe with the EU and UN’s blessing. This may be a few years down the road. So that aligns perfectly with the prophecy of Daniel that you’re referring to.

    • And I’ve seen some discussion in Israeli circles that Shiloh could be a location where Israel may think of building the Third Temple because getting access to the Old Temple site right now is next to nil. It’s worth noting that the ONLY country in the world right now supporting Israel’s annexation plans is the US. Even Great Britain has basically forsaken Israel, after being its primary backer in the Balfour Declaration.

      The economic, political and potentially military pressure brought to bear by the rest of the world, namely the UN and EU, will cause Israel to broker this “peace with many.” But we know just how vehemently the rest of the world despises Israel, and so they are going to renege on this agreement.

      This is where you’re going to see Israel’s conversion taking place. Ultimately the backing of the US is going to be removed, so Israel will be at it alone. In their desperation, tribulation and persecution, they are going to turn to God. See Romans 11:25 et al.

  4. The covenant will be made between Israel and endtime – Babylon.

    It will be made for the last 7 years (2021-2028)

    The Psalms 55 tells us about what will happen to this agreement.

    “He (ANTICHRIST) hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath BROKEN HIS COVENANT.
    The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5UQIvzpbvE

    “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

    13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

    14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

    15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.”

    These things will happen after the beast returns in not many months.

    http://www.antipasministries.com/html/file0000397.htm

    He just got the award.

    http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.573085