BBP: 14 Antichrist’s Religious Covenant & False Prophet

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Chapter 14

Antichrist’s Religious Covenant

A) The nature of Antichrist’s Covenant a religious covenant

B) The timing of Antichrist’s Religious Covenant

C) The Antichrist’s False Prophet

D) The significance of Antichrist’s Religious Covenant for Israel Finish their rebellion & build their temple

Primary Points

Daniel 9:27 describes the Antichrist’s Religious Covenant with all unbelievers in the world, reflecting his worldwide worship and a religion dedicated to him.
The popular assumption that this is merely a political or military “peace treaty” with only Israel is unlikely. However, the implementation of Antichrist’s Religious Covenant will certainly include bringing peace to the world.
It seems Antichrist’s Resurrection will result in Antichrist’s Religious Covenant which will formally implement Antichrist’s Religion.
It is possible that Antichrist’s Religious Covenant will include the publication of its own “Bible” and the voluntary acceptance of “the mark of the beast.”
It is possible that the seven year limitation of the covenant will not be publicly communicated.
The First Seal represents Antichrist’s Resurrection and perhaps his Religious Covenant.
The Antichrist’s Religious Covenant will enable the Jews to rebuild a temple that the Antichrist will later desecrate.
Revelation 13:11-17 is the most extensive description of the False Prophet given in Scripture.
It seems the False Prophet emerges on the Earth after Antichrist’s Resurrection.
The False Prophet will be the first and foremost of the other miracle working false prophets Jesus said will be operating in the Endtimes (cf. Matt 24:23-27).
The False Prophet’s purpose will be to lead all the people who belong to this world … to worship the first beast Antichrist.
He will do this by performing astounding miracles.
The False Prophet will be commanding all unbelievers on the earth to make statues of the beast [Antichrist] and to facilitate Antichrist’s Religious Covenant and world-wide Religion.
During The Beginning of Birth Pains we can expect to see the rebuilding of a Jewish temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

A) The nature of Antichrist’s Covenant a religious covenant

In the previous chapter the worldwide effects of Antichrist’s Resurrection on unbelievers was discussed. Those effects will result in another monumental Endtime event: Antichrist’s worldwide Religious Covenant. This event is described in the following suggested translation of Daniel 9:27:

The ruler will arise to successfully persuade many people to make a religious covenant with him for a period of seven years. In the middle of the seven years he will stop the sacrifices and offerings at the Jewish Temple. And at the Temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. ^[1]

The ruler who will arise is the Antichrist ^{^[2]} who will rule in the Endtimes. ^[3] The key phrase in the translation is successfully persuade many people to make a religious covenant. Successfully persuade reflects the Hebrew word gabar. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT) defines it as:

In Arabic the basic meaning of the root is “to rise, raise, restore,” with the idea of being strong, or prevailing over… The Hebrew root is often associated with warfare and has to do with the strength and vitality of the successful warrior. ^[4]

The use of gabar in Dan 9:27 is in the perfect (Hiphil) tense. ^[5] This use of gabar is used only one other time in the OT where we read:

May the LORD silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue—those who say, “By our tongues we will prevail [naḡbîr, derived from gabar]” (Ps 12:3-4 NIV)

In both TWOT and NIV (cf. NASB, ESV) prevail is a repeated meaning of gabar. Indeed, the NASB translates gabar as prevail or prevailed 14 times in its 25 uses. In addition, there are other Hebrew words that are much more commonly used to mean merely “strong” or “great” instead of gabar (cf. gadal, chazaq). Therefore, the “prevailing” part of the meaning of gabar seems to be intended here.

Webster’s defines “to prevail” as: “to gain ascendancy through strength or superiority: TRIUMPH; to use persuasion successfully.” Accordingly, the NET Bible translates naḡbîr, derived from gabar, as We speak persuasively at Psalms 12:4. Its textual note says:

The Hiphil of gabar occurs only here and in Dan 9:27… Here in Ps. 12 the evildoers “make their tongue strong” in the sense that they use their tongue to produce flattering and arrogant words to accomplish their purposes.

Therefore, the Antichrist will not merely make (NASB, NLT) or confirm (NIV) this religious covenant. ^[6] He will conquer many people with this covenant as a conqueror. Accordingly, BDB gives gabar the meaning of “compel, force; overbearing behavior, mighty in power.” Likewise, Baldwin notes that the use of gabar here, “has the implication of forcing an agreement by means of superior strength.” ^[7] Accordingly, the suggested translation above is, The ruler will arise to successfully persuade many people to make a religious covenant with him.

Prevailing (conquering, persuading) is an important meaning of the word gabar used in Daniel 9:27, and it reminds us of another biblical prophecy regarding the Antichrist:

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror [nikōn] bent on conquest [nikēsē]. (Rev 6:1-2 NIV)

The Hebrew word gabar used in Daniel 9:27 is a virtual synonym of the Greek word nikōn in Revelation 6 meaning, “to win in the face of obstacles, be victor, conquer, overcome, prevail.” ^[8]

The TWOT notes as well regarding gabar in the sense used in Daniel 9:27: “the idea is to raise oneself up in arrogance and stand in God’s face.” ^[9] This too reflects the attempt of the Antichrist to arrogantly imitate the real Christ in his religious covenant with many people.

This relationship between Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 6:1-2 is evidence that the Antichrist’s Religious Covenant is being portrayed as a result of Antichrist’s Resurrection, with both being portrayed in the First Seal. This will be discussed further below.

Again, the suggested translation is: successfully persuade many to make a religious covenant with him. The Hebrew word translated religious covenant is berith. It is sometimes used in the OT to mean “a treaty between nations, alliance of friendship between individuals, a pledge or agreement.” ^{^[10]} This idea fits well with the common belief that this prophecy is speaking specifically of a peace treaty (NLT) with Israel. ^[11] No doubt, this covenant will promote peace in Israel and throughout the world. As described elsewhere, one of the Antichrist’s initial strategies will be to lead the world in establishing a temporary period of peace (cf. ch. 9, sec. C; ch. 11, sec. C.4).

However, it seems more probable that this will be primarily a religious covenant rather than only or merely a political peace treaty. First, the NIV translates the Hebrew word berith as a treaty between people only 26 times (NASB 4 times). In contrast the word is translated as a covenant 246 times (NASB 275 times). Some of these instances describe a covenant between people. But by far the most common and important use of berith in the OT refers to God’s religious covenant with Israel. ^[12]

Likewise, berith is used 5 times in Daniel in addition to its use in 9:27. In all the other references (9:4; 11:22, 28, 30, 32) it refers to the holy covenant (11:28, 30) between God and Israel.

This includes the first use of berith in Dan 9 (v. 4) which reads: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant [berith] of love with those who love him and keep his commandments.” Therefore, it is likely that the use of berith in the same book and chapter also refers foremost to a religious covenant, not just a political or military peace treaty. ^{^[13]}

The religious nature of this covenant is demonstrated by the fact that it most clearly will have religious consequences in Israel. They will renew the practice of the sacrifices and offerings at the Jewish Temple. Notice that the specific and stated result of this covenant is a religious one. In fact, in the previous sentence the prophecy states War will continue until the end. Therefore, it would be rather contradictory to say the primary purpose or result of the covenant being described in the next sentence is peace.

In addition, the Antichrist’s Religious Covenant will not be made with only Jews in Israel as is often assumed. ^{^[14]} Obviously, the entire prophecy begins with the Angel Gabriel explaining that it applies to your [Daniel’s] people and your holy city (Dan 9:24), referring to the Jews and Jerusalem. But as discussed elsewhere, the Anointed One [Christ being] put to death (v. 26) clearly applies to more than the Jews. ^{^[15]} This seems to be the same for the many people who will make a religious covenant with the Antichrist. If Gabriel had meant only the Jews, it seems he would have described it as a religious covenant with “your people.” Instead, he says this will be a religious covenant with many people.

Accordingly, the Hebrew word for many (rab, “abundance”) is used several times in Daniel to refer to people that are more than just the Jews (cf. 8:25; 11:14, 18, 26, especially 11:33, 39). Therefore, many people suggests a larger scope than merely one race or nation. For example, the religious covenant will clearly include the Palestinians and Muslims who will allow the Jews to rebuild a temple on the Temple Mount as a result of this religious covenant.

The Antichrist’s ability to successfully persuade many people to make a religious covenant with him, reflects the biblical prediction that the Antichrist will succeed in everything he does (Dan 8:24 NLT). A worldwide religion will be an unprecedented event in human history and a monumental accomplishment for the Antichrist.

The seven years (shabua, “week”) refers to Daniel’s Last Seven Years (“Daniel’s 70^th Week”). Scholars agree that the week (NASB) refers to seven years. ^[16] Therefore, this religious covenant marks the beginning of God’s plan for His people before Christ’s Return. More will be said about this in the next chapter.

To summarize, the suggested translation of the pivotal text of Daniel 9:27 is:

For all the reasons above, Antichrist’s Religious Covenant being predicted in this prophecy is a monumental event in the Endtimes.

As noted previously (ch. 12, sec. D.2) there are other references to Antichrist’s Religious Covenant in Daniel and probably 2 Thessalonians 2. Because this religious covenant with the Antichrist will result in a departure from faith in the true God by both Jews and false Christians, it is repeatedly referred to as a spiritual rebellion (2 Thess 2:3 NIV). Accordingly, Daniel describes the Jews’ participation in Antichrist’s Religious Covenant as a rebellion that leads to the desecration of the Jewish Temple in Antichrist’s Claim to be God. We read:

Because of rebellion the LORD’s people and the daily sacrifice [at the rebuilt temple] were given over to it [a horn, v. 9, the Antichrist]… the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the LORD’s people. (Dan 8:12-13 NIV) ^[17]

This same rebellion is referred to in Daniel 9:24 where we read: A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people [the Jews] and your holy city to finish their rebellion [pesha’]. Again, it was argued elsewhere that this rebellion leading to the desolation … of the sanctuary (Dan 8:13), is the same rebellion that Paul referred to and that comes first before the man of lawlessness … sets himself up in in God’s temple proclaiming himself to be God (2 Thess 2:3-4; cf. ch. 12, sec. D.2).

Another reference to Antichrist’s Religious Covenant is found in Daniel 11:32 which says of the Antichrist (cf. vs. 31, 35), With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him (NIV). This seems to refer to Endtime Jews abandoning the Old covenant by participating in Antichrist’s Religious Covenant. ^[18]

Next, we will address the question of what this religious covenant with many people will look like? It would seem to be a result of the worldwide worship of the Resurrected Antichrist described in the previous chapter (Rev 13:4; cf. ch. 13, sec. C). But the prophecy states that the whole world will not only worship the Antichrist, but will also become his follower (Rev 13:3, opisō). In the previous chapter it was noted:

As all versions reflect, follower is implied by the Greek word opisō which literally means “after.” But as BDAG explains, the Greek can mean “come after someone, follow someone, be an adherent/follower… have pledged allegiance.” It is the same Greek word that Jesus is translated using to call His disciples to “follow me” (Matt 4:19; 10:38; 16:24). Therefore, in another imitation of the real Christ, the Antichrist will have his own disciples after his Resurrection. However, it will be many, many more than Jesus ever had when He was on Earth. (ch. 13, sec. A)

All of this reflects a worldwide Religion dedicated to the Antichrist. MacArthur writes: “This counterfeit Christ will … institute a new religion (the worship of himself; cf. Dan. 11:36–37; 2 Thess. 2:4). ^[19]

Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the Antichrist’s religious covenant with many people is connected to his worldwide worship following his Resurrection. In fact, it may be a way of establishing Antichrist’s worldwide Religion. Therefore, it seems Antichrist’s Resurrection will result in Antichrist’s Religious Covenant which will formally implement Antichrist’s Religion.

It was argued previously that the Antichrist will be the first and foremost False Christ who will mislead many (Matt 24:5; cf. ch. 10, sec. B). Therefore, it is suggested that the many people that the Antichrist will successfully persuade … to make a religious covenant with him is referring to the same many that Jesus said the first and foremost False Christ will mislead (Matt 24:5). Both prophecies are describing many people being deceived by a False Christ.

But this religious covenant will not include everyone in the world. This is because real Christians in the world will not be participating in Antichrist’s worship. The prophecy states: all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb (Rev 13:8 NLT). Therefore, the many people with whom the religious covenant is made will be all the unbelievers in the world, but not the Christians. In addition, the many people will include the many who are predicted to turn away from the Christian faith (Matt 24:10 NIV) during the Endtimes. This will be discussed further in chapter 16.

Accordingly, it would seem K&D interpret Daniel 9:27 correctly when they write:

[The Hebrew rab, “many”] with the article signifies the many, i.e., the great mass of the people in contrast with the few, who remain faithful to God; cf. Matt. 24:12. Therefore the thought is this: That ungodly prince shall impose on the mass of the people a strong covenant that they should follow him and give themselves to him as their God. ^{^[20]}

It has been argued above that our understanding of the covenant should not be limited to merely a political or military “peace treaty.” However, surely an indirect result of Antichrist’s Religious Covenant and Religion will be some level of worldwide peace. For example, this will be necessary to sufficiently reconcile Jews, Palestinians, and all Muslims in order for Israel to rebuild their Temple on the Temple Mount. No doubt Antichrist’s worldwide Religion will also bring some level of peace to the rest of the world.

All of the above seems rather clear. There are some additional possibilities. It was noted above that Antichrist’s Religious Covenant will result in Antichrist’s Religion and followers like Jesus. An important part of being a disciple is to be a learner. In other words, like Jesus, the Antichrist will be a very influential teacher of his Religion. This may include the production of videos and books.

In addition, it is possible the implementation of Antichrist’s Religious Covenant will involve the writing of some Scriptures explaining Antichrist’s Religion. God’s covenants (berith) with His people have always resulted in Scripture being written to explain the covenant. Perhaps the Antichrist will produce his own Bible for the same purpose. This would be another attempt to imitate Christ and Christianity. As described in section C below, Antichrist’s Religion will even have a prophet to promote and communicate it to the world.

Also, it seems possible that taking the mark of the beast (cf. Rev 13:16-17) may be voluntarily practiced even with the initial implementation of the Antichrist’s Religious Covenant. It is probable that later, during The Greatest Persecution, all unbelievers will be forced to do this. But even some 3.5 years earlier, this phenomenon may begin as well. ^[21]

Finally, the prophecy states the Antichrist will successfully persuade many people to make a religious covenant with him for a period of seven years. This specified time period is rather odd. Why would the Antichrist publicly make a religious covenant (or even a peace treaty) for only a limited time? It is doubtful he would. For example, the Antichrist’s intention to stop the sacrifices and offerings at the Jewish Temple … in the middle of the seven years will certainly not be revealed in its public description.

Therefore, it seems more likely that Antichrist’s Religious Covenant will not be publicly communicated as having a seven year limit. The revelation of this temporary duration may only be revealed to God’s people in Scripture, and not to the world. This was certainly the case with the other time elements in the Daniel 9 prophecy.

The world did not know God ordained a period of seventy sets of seven (v. 24 NLT) years to complete part of His Endtime plan. Nor was the world aware there would be seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven years from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes (v. 25), and after this period of sixty-two sets of seven years the Anointed One will be killed (v. 26).

Again, none of that was revealed to the world, but only to God’s people in Scripture. Such will probably be the same when the Antichrist will arise to successfully persuade many people to make a religious covenant with him for a period of the last seven years (v. 27) of this prophecy. In fact, God may only intend knowledgeable Christians in the Last Generation Church to know the seven year limit on this covenant. This is because as explained in the next chapter, it will mark the beginning of a seven-year countdown to Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue.

Publicly, Antichrist’s Religious Covenant will probably be communicated as something enduring, maybe even for eternity. It can also be noted that even after the Antichrist ends Jewish religious practices at the abomination that causes desolation, the covenant will continue to be accepted and enforced by the rest of the unbelieving world.

B) The timing of Antichrist’s Religious Covenant

When Antichrist’s Religious Covenant occurs in the sequence of Endtime events is not easy to determine with certainty. But there is evidence that it occurs toward the beginning of the Endtimes. As noted above, it seems that the many people that the Antichrist will successfully persuade … to make a religious covenant with him is referring to the same many that Jesus said the first and foremost False Christ will mislead (Matt 24:5). If this is so, this would be an indication that the Antichrist’s Religious Covenant is among the first Endtime events.

Second, the Antichrist’s Religious Covenant seems to be closely tied to Antichrist’s Resurrection. It is reasonable to believe that only after Antichrist’s Resurrection will he have the religious and even political clout to successfully persuade many people to make a religious covenant with him. Before this, the Antichrist is described in Scripture as merely a little horn (Dan 7:8) which started small (Dan 8:9).

In addition, it was noted above that the Hebrew word gabar used in Daniel 9:27 is a virtual synonym of the Greek word nikōn in Revelation 6 meaning, “to win in the face of obstacles, be victor, conquer, overcome, prevail.” Again, this relationship between Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 6:1-2 is evidence that the Antichrist’s Religious Covenant is being portrayed as a result of Antichrist’s Resurrection, with both being portrayed in the First Seal. Therefore, it seems the Resurrected Antichrist in Revelation 6 who appears on the Earth as a conqueror (nikōn) with deception, is the same Antichrist who spiritually “conquers” (gabar) the world by successfully persuading many people to make a religious covenant with him in Daniel 9:27. Likewise, as noted, Antichrist’s Religious Covenant will probably promote world peace, as also reflected in the First Seal (cf. ch. 11, sec. C.4).

Finally, there is another piece of biblical evidence that Antichrist’s Religious Covenant occurs at the beginning of the Endtimes and even during the opening of the First Seal. Daniel clearly states that Daniel’s Last Seven Years begins with the implementation of Antichrist’s Religious Covenant. It is likely that the beginning of Daniel’s Last Seven Years should be understood as the beginning of the Endtimes in general. Therefore, Antichrist’s Religious Covenant would seem to be at least one of the very first events of the Endtimes.

However, as argued previously (cf. BBP chs. 11-12), it still seems that Antichrist’s Resurrection will be the first clear sign the Endtimes have begun. Another reason for this is that as noted above, it would seem the Antichrist’s Resurrection will be necessary before Antichrist’s Religious Covenant. But we should expect the Covenant to follow the Resurrection rather quickly.

C) The Antichrist’s False Prophet

C.1) Biblical texts describing the False Prophet

Not only will the Antichrist have his own religion, but also the False Prophet to support that religion. We read in Revelation 13:

Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the voice of a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast [Antichrist]. And he required all the earth and its people to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.

He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching. And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast [Antichrist], who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. (vs. 11-14 NLT)

This passage is the most extensive description of the False Prophet given in Scripture. He is described as a second beast (v. 11 NIV) in addition to the Antichrist. Although this second beast is not named the False Prophet in this passage, it is clear he is being described here. Later, this second beast is referred to as the false prophet in Revelation 16:

Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon [Satan], out of the mouth of the beast [Antichrist] and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle [at] Armageddon. (Rev 16:13-14, 16 NIV)

Notice these evil beings are described as an unholy Endtime trinity of Satan (the dragon), the Antichrist (the beast), and the false prophet. These three will be united and working together to fulfill God’s purposes for them during the Endtimes. ^{^[22]}

The final mention of the False Prophet describes his end with the Antichrist. At the Battle of Armageddon, the beast Antichrist will be captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf… The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Rev 19:20 NIV).

It would appear that the False Prophet’s emergence will occur rather soon after Antichrist’s Resurrection, at the very beginning of the Endtimes. This is suggested by the close relationship between the False Prophet’s emergence and the Antichrist’s Resurrection in the following text:

Then I saw another beast [the False Prophet] come up out of the earth … He exercised all the authority of the first beast [Antichrist]. And he required all the earth and its people to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed [in Antichrist’s Resurrection] (Rev 13:11-12 NIV). ^[23]

It has been argued previously that the Antichrist will be the first and foremost false Christ (Matt 24:5 NASB) among the many … false Christs (vs. 5, 24) that will emerge in the Endtimes (cf. ch. 10, sec. B). Likewise, the false prophet will be the first and foremost among the many false prophets that will arise and will mislead many (v. 11).

C.2) The False Prophet’s purpose & activities in The Beginning of Birth Pains Promoting Antichrist’s worship with statues

Revelation 13 clearly describes the purpose of the False Prophet. He will lead all the people who belong to this world … to worship the first beast Antichrist (vs. 12-14 NLT). How will he do this?

First, He will do astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone is watching. And with all the miracles he will be allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast [Antichrist], he will deceive all the people who belong to this world (Rev 13:13-14 NLT). As with the Antichrist’s miracle working, the miraculous powers of the False Prophet will be truly supernatural. ^[24]

Second, along with miracle-working, the False Prophet will probably be preaching, and being an important spokesman for the Antichrist. Both his preaching and astounding miracles will help to promote Antichrist’s world-wide Religion. As Osborne puts it, “When he [Antichrist] returns from the dead, his associate, the false prophet, will use the event for forging a new world religion with the beast [Antichrist] as its focus.” ^[25]

Third, we read of the False Prophet:

And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. (Rev 13:14-15 NLT)

This is a remarkable prophecy. Evidently, the False Prophet will be ordering all the people who belong to this world to make a great statue of the Antichrist. The importance of these statues is reflected in the fact that their worship is mentioned 10 times in Revelation (cf. 13:14, 15 [3x]; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4).

First, it is clear that the prophecy refers to statues. Statue translates the Greek word eikona which means “an object shaped to resemble the form or appearance of something, likeness, living image.” ^[26] Accordingly, many translations and scholars suggest the prediction refers to merely an image like on a coin (cf. NIV, NASB, ESV, NET). But it is not likely that a mere image or picture of the Antichrist on a coin or elsewhere would be given the ability to speak (v. 15). Such a speaking “object” clearly implies statues of some kind (cf. NLT). Accordingly, Osborne writes, “It is almost certainly an idolatrous statue, since it is given life and speaks (Rev 13:15).” ^[27]

Also, the NLT implies that only one statue of the Antichrist will be erected. The Greek word used here (eikona) is in the singular tense. But this is because it will be one and the same statue of the likeness of the Antichrist. However, it will not be just one statue in one place. The people whom the False Prophet will order … to make a great statue of the first beast refers to all the people who belong to this world. Therefore, statues (plural) will be set up all over the world.

It seems that rather immediately after the Antichrist’s Resurrection, statues of him will be constructed all over the world bearing his likeness. These will be another way that the Antichrist’s Religious Covenant and Religion will be promoted worldwide. These statues will give everyone in the world a place to worship the Resurrected Antichrist. Which is why the False Prophet will order their construction.

In addition, the False Prophet will be permitted by God to give life to these statues all over the world so that they will speak (Rev 13:15 NLT). This will be an unprecedented display of demonic power working on the Earth. The Antichrist and False Prophet will probably use the statues as a means of communication around the world to again promote Antichrist’s Religion at the very beginning of the Endtimes.

But eventually, these statues of the Antichrist will be used to enforce his worship. The prophecy states, Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die (v. 15 NLT). And during The Greatest Persecution, those worshipping the Antichrist will carry out the statues’ orders. ^[28]

Eventually, the False Prophet will have the same God-like authority over the Earth that the Antichrist will possess. Seeing a vision of his activities during The Greatest Persecution, John writes: He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark of the Antichrist’s name on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark (Rev 13:16-17 NLT). That is a lot of power.

The False Prophet’s activities will lead to the eternal punishment of all unbelievers in the world. Because they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name, all of which are activities the False Prophet will command, they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night (Rev 14:10-11 NLT). The False Prophet will be the worst kind of prophet, leading the entire world to their eternal torment.

In summary, several supernatural events will result in the absolute and complete worship of the Antichrist by every unbeliever living on the Earth when the Endtimes begin. The Antichrist’s miraculous Resurrection will amaze and deceive all non-Christians to worship and follow the Antichrist (cf. Rev 13:3-4). The Antichrist’s and False Prophet’s miracle working will further empower Antichrist’s worship (cf. 2 Thess 2:9), leading all unbelievers to submit to Antichrist’s Religious Covenant (cf. Dan 9:27). As followers of the Antichrist’s Religion, the entire non-Christian world will become his disciples.

Eventually, all unbelievers will be led and deluded to completely obey the Antichrist such that they will willingly participate in the betrayal, hunting, imprisonment, and execution of all Christians as their moral duty. “In fact,” Jesus said, “the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God” (John 16:2 NIV) ) as they serve the Antichrist whom they will believe is God. Such will be the supernatural deception and eventual power of the Antichrist and his False Prophet on the unbelieving world in the Endtimes.

D) The significance of Antichrist’s Religious Covenant for Israel Finish their rebellion & build their temple

Again, the primary text for describing Antichrist’s Religious Covenant is Daniel 9:27:

As noted, many claim Antichrist’s Religious Covenant will only apply to Israel. But for reasons shared above, this is unlikely. However, it will certainly have a special significance for the Jews.

Daniel was told earlier in the prophecy that Daniel’s Last Seven Years was decreed for your people [the Jews] and your holy city [Jerusalem] to finish their rebellion (Dan 9:24 NLT). Their rebellion will certainly include being persuaded by the Antichrist to make a religious covenant with him so that they can resume sacrifices and offerings at a rebuilt Jewish Temple. Obviously, it will be primarily the minority of Orthodox Jews in Israel who will be especially motivated to do this. They will be deceived by the Resurrected Antichrist that he is their awaited Messiah.

Accordingly, in their efforts to restore OT religion to their nation, they will welcome Antichrist’s help in doing so. However, sinfully rejecting their God, and forming a covenant (berith) with Christ’s archenemy, the Antichrist, will be a climactic act of rebellion for the nation of Israel that will lead to the destruction and desecration of the very temple they will rebuild (cf. Dan 8:12-13).

Why will Israel do this? The primary reason will be the powerful delusion that God sends through the deceiving power of Antichrist’s Resurrection. Again, they will believe the claim of the first and foremost False Christ, “I am the Messiah” (Matt 24:5 NIV). The Antichrist will convince the Jews that he is here to protect them. Accordingly, he will appeal to Israel’s idolatry.

What has Israel desired since they became a nation in 1948? Peace with their enemies. The Resurrected Antichrist will be willing and able to obtain this. And because the unregenerated Jews will worship the beast along with all the people who belong to this world (Rev 13:8 NLT), they will trust him instead of their God.

The prophecy of Israel making an alliance with an antichrist figure was partially fulfilled ca. 135 B.C. with Antiochus Epiphanes. At the time, there was a threat of war in the land. In this context we read the following from the Book of I Maccabees:

[Antiochus] came to Jerusalem with a large force. Deceitfully he spoke peaceable words to them, and they believed him…

In those days certain renegades came out from Israel and misled many, saying, “Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles around us, for since we separated from them many disasters have come upon us.” This proposal pleased them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king [Antiochus], who authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil. (cf. 1:11-15, 20-30)

Likewise, some Jews may abandon Jewish practices even more than they already do. However, Antichrist’s Religious Covenant will enable the Orthodox Jews among them to resume sacrifices and offerings at a rebuilt Jewish temple (Dan 9:27 NIV). This is clear from the text because in the middle of the seven years of the religious covenant … he will stop the sacrifices and offerings at the Jewish Temple. This will happen exactly 3.5 years after the start of Antichrist’s Religious Covenant when at the Temple the Antichrist will set up an abomination that causes desolation (Dan 9:27). Both Jesus and Paul made it clear this event occurs in a rebuilt Jewish Temple (Dan 9:27; cf. Matt 24:15; 2 Thess 2:3-4). Therefore, during The Beginning of Birth Pains we can expect to see the rebuilding of a Jewish temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

In fact, it will be Antichrist’s Religious Covenant that will lead to Antichrist’s Claim to be God in the rebuilt Jewish temple. We read: Because of rebellion, the LORD’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it [the Antichrist]. It [the Antichrist] prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground. (Dan 8:11-12 NIV).

Antichrist’s Religious Covenant with the Jews will be the beginning of God’s Endtime plan decreed for the Jewish people and their holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place (Dan 9:24 NIV). The day that Antichrist’s Religious Covenant is officially and publicly implemented will be a monumental day in God’s prophetic plan for Israel. In the next chapter, it will be explained that it will also be a monumental day for the Church.

Scholars agree that the Hebrew text of Dan 9:27 is difficult to accurately translate. For an explanation, see Walvoord, 235-6. Hill writes regarding Dan 9:27:

Baldwin, 163, considers Daniel 9: 24–27 “the most difficult text in the book,” and Miller, 252, regards this section as “four of the most controversial verses in the Bible.” Such comments only serve to lend support to the often-quoted remark of Montgomery, 400, that “the history of the exegesis of the 70 Weeks of Daniel is the Dismal Swamp of O.T. criticism.” (loc. 5766)

Commentaries on Dan 9:27 are generally disappointing. Which is surprising for such an important text of prophetic Scripture.

Walvoord helpfully spends most of his commentary arguing against non-literal and non-futurist views of the prophecy. He concludes in one paragraph the futurist and literal view claimed in The Beginning of Birth Pains that predicts a literal Antichrist in the future.

Young also effectively disproves the Preterist view that Dan 9:27 is only or primarily a reference to Antiochus Epiphanes. However Young (and D. M. Lloyd-Jones) argues for an Amillennial view that this individual is actually Christ, not the Antichrist, and therefore the prophecy has already been fulfilled. However, any allusions to Christ in this text can be interpreted as future efforts on the part of the Antichrist to imitate Christ. See Wiersbe’s refutation of this view below in endnote #2.

Wallace (BST) is too shallow and brief to be much help in any part of Daniel, and he commits to a Preterist view of Dan 9:27 suggesting it was fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes.

Hill (EBC) merely presents the questions an interpreter needs to address, but does not even offer any answers.

K&D’s commentary is characteristically dense, and spends most of its text on refuting Amillennial views, even though they argue the “weeks of years” are not to be calculated literally, but are merely symbolic. Nonetheless, they too conclude that the prophecy refers to a future Antichrist and write: “Therefore the thought is this: That ungodly prince shall impose on the mass of the people a strong covenant that they should follow him and give themselves to him as their God.” ↑
For detailed arguments for interpreting the ruler in Dan 9:27 as the future Antichrist, see Walvoord, Dan, p. 228-237. Unfortunately, many Amillennialist have actually made a claim that this ruler is referring to Jesus Christ. However, Wiersbe succinctly refutes this when he writes:

To make “Messiah, the Prince” (v. 25) and “the prince that shall come” (v. 27) the same person is to confuse Daniel’s words. Those who hold to an amillennial interpretation of prophecy take this approach and apply verses 24-27 to the earthly life and ministry of Christ. But His earthly ministry was three years long, not seven years, and the only covenant He established was the New covenant in His blood, a covenant He did not break. While His death on the cross ended the Old Testament economy in the plan of God, the Jewish sacrifices continued for nearly forty years. Jesus did not bring any “abomination of desolation” into the temple; instead, He sought to purge it of its defilement. It takes a great deal of stretching the text to put it into the past tense. (at Dan 12:24) ↑
The prophecy in Dan 9:26-27 is about the Antichrist and the Endtimes. The destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary have had a couple of partial fulfillments in the history of the Jews. But this prophecy will be fully and finally fulfilled in the Endtimes by the Antichrist. This is why Christ also predicted this in the context of the Endtimes when He said: “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near” (Luke 21:20 cf. vs. 25-26; Matt 24:15).

The fact that this entire prophecy will be completely and finally fulfilled in the Endtimes is reflected in the fact that the end is mentioned three times in its description. We read that the end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end (NIV). Also, the Antichrist will experience the decreed end for him at the end of the Endtimes when he is destroyed at the Battle of Armageddon (cf. Rev 19:19-20). Finally, the Antichrist’s abomination that causes desolation will obviously occur in the Endtimes (cf. Matt 24:15; 2 Thess 2:3-4). Therefore, the ruler who will come (NIV) is also referring to the Antichrist. Preterism suggests that the prophecies concerning the abomination that causes desolation were completely and finally fulfilled in A. D. 70. Preterism is biblically refuted in Christ’s Endtimes Teaching, ch. 12, sec. B. ↑
TWOT, (148). Underlining added. ↑
BDB. ↑
The NLT merely has make at Dan 9:27a which does not accurately reflect the full meaning of gabar. The idea of “restore” in gabar evidently leads some to translate it in Dan 9:27 as confirm (cf. NIV, NET, BDB, K&D, Young). This has suggested to some that the Antichrist will re-establish an existing covenant or treaty.

Young makes a great deal of this view in order to argue this covenant refers to the NT covenant already made by Christ (209-213). TWOT notes regarding gabar: “In Arabic the basic meaning of the root is “to rise, raise, restore” (148). But it never mentions “restore” as a meaning in the Hebrew, nor are there any instances in the OT where it is clearly used this way.

The BDB notes that gabar at Dan 9:27 is in the Hithpael perfect tense and translates it as “confirm a covenant Daniel 9:27.” But the perfect tense could just as well refer to something being “accomplished” not necessarily being “confirmed.” Which, again, is why the TWOT never mentions “confirm” as a meaning for gabar. ↑
Hill quotes Baldwin at loc. 5881. ↑
BDAG. ↑
TWOT, 148. ↑
TWOT, 128. ↑
Wiersbe supports and describes the common idea that the covenant is merely a peace treaty:

The event that triggers this last seven-year period is the signing of a covenant between the Antichrist and the Jewish nation. At this time, the Antichrist is a key political figure in Europe–one of the ten toes of the image in Daniel 2, and the “little horn” who emerges from the ten horns in 7:8, 24ff.–and he has the authority and ability to end the “Middle East problem.” (Dan 9:24; cf. Walvoord, 234-5).

On the contrary, in the beginning of Antichrist’s career, and as a result of his Resurrection, he will be a spiritual leader, not so much a political one. And the covenant will be with many people, not just “the Jewish nation.” ↑
Vine’s states: “The great majority of occurrences of berith are God’s ‘covenants’ with men.’” (50). ↑
K&D support the religious nature of the covenant when they write: “The reference to the covenant of God with man is thus indeed suggested, yet it is not rendered necessary, but only points to a relation analogous to the concluding of a covenant emanating from God.” Likewise, Amillennialist scholars such as Young who claim Dan 9:27 is referring to Christ and the New Covenant, would indirectly support the view that this is a religious covenant rather than merely a peace treaty as most Dispensationalists teach. ↑
Walvoord gives a very common traditional view of the many when he writes: “This is a clear reference to [only] unbelieving Jews who will enter into alliance with the prince that shall come.” That they are [only] Jews is indicated by thy people in verse 24” (234). However, like all Pre-tribulationists, Walvoord overlooks the reference to Christ’s crucifixion in verse 26 which clearly applies to the Church, and in one sense to the whole world. For more on who the prophecy of Dan 9:25-27 applies to, see Christ’s Endtimes Teaching, ch. 7, sec. B.1. ↑
For arguments that Dan 9:24-27 applies to more than Israel, see Christ’s Endtimes Teaching ch. 7, sec. B.1. ↑
Regarding the weeks (NASB) in Dan 9:24-27, Hill writes: “It is generally understood that the ‘seventy sevens’ represent seventy weeks or heptads of years by analogy to the ‘seven weeks of years’ associated with the Year of Jubilee (cf. Lev 25: 8)” (loc. 5770). ↑
Young agrees with all commentators regarding Dan 8:12: “the language of the text is extremely difficult” (172). But he concludes with several other OT scholars that the text can be translated: “a host (i.e. many of the Israelites), on account of transgression (i.e. apostasy from God), will be given up together with (at the same time) the continual sacrifices” (Ibid). Such a translation would suggest the sinful rebellion being predicted here is the Jews’ complete abandonment of God, and allegiance to the Antichrist, demonstrated in their reception of the Religious Covenant from him.

Walvoord disagrees and says, “conservative scholars generally interpret it to mean that the people of Israel along with their worship are given over to the power of Antiochus Epiphanes (cf. 1 Macc 1:44-49)” (188). This is an odd view for a futurist like Walvoord. Of course, Antiochus fulfilled many things predicted in Dan 8 and 11. But it is explained a few verses later that the vision concerns the appointed time of the end (Dan 8:19). In conclusion, it is suggested that the rebellion described in Dan 8:12 is probably an allusion to Antichrist’s Religious Covenant. ↑
K&D perhaps strengthen the claim that Dan 11:32 is referring to Antichrist’s Religious Covenant when they add that the flattery of the Antichrist here refers to “deceitful promises of earthly advantage.”

Others suggest Israel’s covenant with death mentioned in Isaiah 28:15, 18 is another reference to Antichrist’s Religious Covenant (cf. Van Kampen, Sign, 188-9). But in these very verses the covenant with death is described as your agreement with the realm of the dead. Therefore, death should be interpreted here literally. Accordingly, the Isaiah commentaries of Oswalt, Motyer, and K&D make no mention of this. ↑
MacArthur, 37. ↑
K&D, at Dan 9:27. ↑
It is possible that Paul was describing additional elements of Antichrist’s Religion when he wrote:

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. (1 Tim 4:1-3 NLT)

For more on this see Additional Studies on the Endtimes, ch. 17, “Some Possible Elements of Antichrist’s Religion 1 Tim 4:3” online at http://www.trainingtimothys.com. ↑
Thomas writes of the False Prophet described in Rev 13:

A view that goes all the way back to Irenaeus, Hippolytus, and Victorinus is that this beast is the main religious assistant or henchman of the first beast or the end-time false Christ (Swete, Morris).

All of chapter 13 is a parody of the Christian era, with a counterfeit trinity, a death and resurrection, and a universal church with its mark of membership (Seiss, Sweet).

So the [second] beast has an outwardly Christian image. This agrees with his role as false prophet in contrast to the two true prophets of chapter 11. Like them, he performs great signs, stands before the one he represents (11:4; 13:12), has special power over fire (11:5; 13:13), has a connection with resurrection (11:11; 13:14-15), convinces men of their superior’s supreme power (11:5-6; 13:17), and directs men to worship the one they designate (11:13; 13:15) (Kiddle). It is apparent that the second beast captures organized religion in the service of the first beast (Ladd). (1139) ↑
Osborne agrees that the False Prophet’s emergence will occur rather soon after Antichrist’s Resurrection when he writes:

The first beast gains control by parity in Christ’s death and resurrection. When he returns from the dead, his associate, the false prophet, will use the event for forging a new world religion with the beast. (507) ↑
Thomas notes regarding the nature of the False Prophet’s miracle working:

These will be genuine miracles, supernatural accomplishments, not mere trickery or skill in pyrotechnics… It is particularly the persuasive power of the signs performed that accomplish the ulterior designs of the false prophet and his superior. (1143). ↑
Osborne, 507. ↑
BDAG #1. ↑
Osborne, 514; cf. Mounce, 258. Thomas writes regarding the nature of these statues of Antichrist:

Whether this is an image of an emperor on a coin as that of Caesar in Christ’s time (Matt. 22:20), or a statue to which people must bow down, such as that of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3 (Scott) is not clear. Since the pattern of this demand for worship comes from Daniel (Dan. 3:4-6), the latter appears more probable. In John’s day, the cities of Asia, Pergamum in particular, had temples erected for the worship of emperors (Thomas, Revelation 1-7, pp. 179-80). Why should this great ruler of the future not have at least a full-blown statue toward which people could direct their worship? (1145) ↑
Thomas comments on Rev 13:15 regarding the activities of the False Prophet:

Though God alone can give life, the edothē (“it was given”) indicates that He permits the beast to do it in this instance. Pneuma (“Breath”) is not the same as zōē (“life”), so some feel that the beast made the image only appear to be breathing (Smith, Walvoord). But the remainder of v. 15 indicates that the image spoke and caused the execution of those who refused to worship the image. The pneuma is therefore the equivalent of pneuma zōēs (“the breath of life”) so recently encountered in connection with the two witnesses (11:11). So this beast exceeds all earlier idolaters in blaspheming God and usurping His power to bestow life (1146). ↑

Chapter 14

Antichrist’s Religious Covenant

Contents

Primary Points