The Enforcement of the Covenant: An Exhaustive Exegetical and Eschatological Analysis of Daniel 9:27
I. Introduction: The Keystone of Biblical Eschatology
The prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27, often described as the "seventy weeks" or "seventy sevens," stands as the undisputed backbone of biblical prophecy. It serves as the chronological skeleton upon which the muscle and flesh of subsequent apocalyptic revelation—specifically the Olivet Discourse and the Book of Revelation—are superimposed. Within this grand prophetic structure, the final verse, Daniel 9:27, functions as the interpretive keystone. It delineates the final epoch of human history prior to the inauguration of the Messianic Kingdom, a period colloquially known as the "Tribulation" or, more precisely, Daniel’s Seventieth Week.
The central action of this verse—the confirmation, strengthening, or enforcement of a covenant—is the singular event that restarts the prophetic clock of Israel’s history after a long temporal hiatus. This report provides an exhaustive, expert-level analysis of the mechanisms, theology, and geopolitical implications of this enforcement. The inquiry is driven by the necessity to understand the identity of the "Prince who is to come," the precise nature of the "covenant with many," and the catastrophic "mid-week" breach that results in the cessation of sacrifices and the erection of the Abomination of Desolation.
While historical interpretations have occasionally attempted to identify the subject of verse 27 as the Messiah, concluding the prophecy in the first century A.D., the preponderance of futurist scholarship identifies this figure as the Antichrist—a final geopolitical ruler who rises from the cultural or political heritage of the people who destroyed the Second Temple. This analysis will dissect the Hebrew verb higbir, suggesting that the Antichrist does not necessarily create a new treaty ex nihilo, but rather imposes, strengthens, or compels the implementation of an existing framework or dormant security arrangement. Furthermore, the report explores the correlation between this covenant and the "Covenant with Death" in Isaiah 28, the "Man of Lawlessness" in 2 Thessalonians 2, and the warnings of Christ in Matthew 24.
By examining the full spectrum of philological evidence, historical context, and systematic theology, this document aims to provide a definitive reference on the enforcement of the covenant, synthesizing ancient textual data with modern geopolitical trajectories to illuminate the dark but determined future of the Middle East and the world.
II. The Prophetic Context: The Chronological Backbone
To isolate Daniel 9:27 without understanding the monolithic structure of the preceding verses is to invite exegetical disaster. The enforcement of the covenant is the climax of a 490-year decree issued by the angel Gabriel in response to Daniel’s prayer regarding the desolation of Jerusalem.
The Divine Decree of the Seventy Weeks
The prophecy outlines a period of "seventy sevens" (shavuim shivim) decreed for two specific entities: Daniel's "people" (Israel) and the "holy city" (Jerusalem).1 This specificity is paramount; the prophecy is ethnically and geographically bounded. It does not pertain to the Church or the Gentile nations primarily, but to the Jewish people and their capital.
The decree includes a six-fold purpose clause that must be accomplished by the conclusion of the 490 years:
To finish the transgression: The culmination of Israel's apostasy and rebellion.
To put an end to sin: The final eradication of sin's power over the nation.
To atone for iniquity: The application of the messianic atonement to the national remnant.
To bring in everlasting righteousness: The establishment of the Millennial Kingdom.
To seal both vision and prophet: The final fulfillment and cessation of prophetic revelation.
To anoint a most holy place: The consecration of the Millennial Temple.1
Biblical scholars adhering to a literal hermeneutic note that while the atonement for iniquity was provided at the Cross, the other five goals—specifically the end of sin and the establishment of everlasting righteousness—have not yet been realized in Jerusalem. War, sin, and transgression continue to plague the Holy City. Therefore, the 490-year period cannot have concluded in the first century. This necessitates a futuristic fulfillment of the final "week".2
The Segmentation of the Timeline
The angel Gabriel segments the 490 years into three distinct epochs, a breakdown that is critical for locating the enforcement of the covenant in history.
Period
Duration
Start Event
End Event
The Seven Sevens
49 Years
The decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (Artaxerxes to Nehemiah, c. 445 B.C.).3
Completion of the restoration of the city streets and walls.
The Sixty-Two Sevens
434 Years
The completion of the restoration.
The "cutting off" of the Messiah (The Crucifixion).
The Final Seven
7 Years
The enforcement of the covenant by the Prince who is to come (Dan 9:27).
The consummation and the anointing of the Most Holy Place.
The text explicitly states that "after" the sixty-two sevens (which follow the first seven, totaling 69 weeks or 483 years), two tragic events occur: the Messiah is "cut off" and has nothing, and the "people of the prince who is to come" destroy the city and the sanctuary.1
The Mathematical Precision and the Chronological Gap
The precision of the first 69 weeks has been the subject of intense study. Calculations by scholars such as Sir Robert Anderson and Harold Hoehner utilize a 360-day "prophetic year" to count 173,880 days from the decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus (March 5, 445 B.C.) to the Triumphal Entry of Christ (March 30, A.D. 33).3 Regardless of the specific dates used (A.D. 32 vs. A.D. 33), the consensus among futurists is that the 69th week terminated with the presentation and subsequent rejection of Jesus as Messiah.
This termination point creates a necessary "gap" or parenthesis in the prophecy. The destruction of Jerusalem foretold in verse 26 occurred in A.D. 70, forty years after the Messiah was cut off. Yet, the 70th week had not begun, because the clock stopped with the rejection of the King. This gap corresponds to the "Church Age," a mystery period unrevealed to Old Testament prophets, during which God gathers a people for His name from among the Gentiles.4 The enforcement of the covenant in verse 27 is the event that bridges this gap, terminating the Church Age and resuming the countdown for the final seven years of Israel's determined history.6
III. Linguistic Analysis of Enforcement: Higbir Berith
The precise nature of the Antichrist's action in initiating the 70th week is concealed within the Hebrew phrase weh-higbir berith, commonly translated as "he shall confirm a covenant" or "he shall make a strong covenant." A rigorous philological examination reveals that this is likely not a passive signing ceremony of a new document, but an act of imposition, strength, and superior force.
The Semantics of Higbir (Hiphil of Gabar)
The verb higbir is the Hiphil (causative) perfect 3rd masculine singular of the root gabar. The Qal stem of gabar means "to be strong," "to prevail," or "to be mighty." The Hiphil stem, therefore, carries the causative nuance: "to make strong," "to cause to prevail," or "to demonstrate superiority".7
Syntactical Nuances: The morphology of the word is informative. As noted in technical linguistic analyses, higbartiy would mean "I have made strong," while higbir refers to "he." The underlying root suggests overcoming resistance or solidifying something that is weak or contested. It implies the exertion of power.7
Comparison with Karat: The standard Hebrew idiom for making a covenant is karat berith (literally "to cut a covenant"), which involves a mutual agreement often ratified by sacrifice. The use of higbir in Daniel 9:27 is highly irregular and significant. It suggests that the focus is not on the creation of the covenant, but on its strengthening or enforcement.9
Implication of Strength: The term implies "to make firm" or "to cause a prevailing." This suggests the Antichrist does not necessarily draft a novel peace treaty from scratch. Instead, he may take an existing framework—a stalled road map, a dormant UN resolution, or a fragile security arrangement—and "make it strong" through his political or military capital.10 He provides the muscle to enforce an agreement that others could not.
The Nature of the Covenant (Berith)
The object of the enforcement is berith (a covenant). Crucially, the text does not say "the holy covenant" (as in Dan 11:30) or "the covenant of the fathers," but simply "a covenant" or "a firm covenant".12
The Recipients: "The Many" (La-Rabbim): The covenant is made "with many" or "for the many." The Hebrew la-rabbim contains the definite article, implying a specific, recognizable group. In the context of Daniel, "the many" often refers to the apostate majority of Israel or its secular leadership.13 It indicates that this is not a universal treaty with the whole world, nor necessarily with the believing remnant, but with the political entity of Israel and likely a consortium of other nations.15
Duration: The text explicitly limits this confirmation to "one week" (shavua echad), representing a single heptad or seven-year period.2 This seven-year limit is a specific provision of the treaty, a sunset clause or a timeline for normalization that the Antichrist guarantees.
Comparative Translation Analysis
The nuance of higbir is captured differently across various translations and commentaries, highlighting the "enforcement" aspect:
Translation/Source
Phrasing of Daniel 9:27
Implication for Enforcement
KJV
"He shall confirm the covenant"
Ratification of an agreement.
ESV
"He shall make a strong covenant"
Creation of a binding, forceful pact.
NET Bible (Montgomery)
"He shall make strong a covenant"
Reinforcement of a pre-existing structure.2
Young's Literal
"He hath strengthened a covenant"
Act of bolstering an agreement.11
Walvoord
"Cause a covenant to be strong"
Imposition by superior power.17
Gentry/Modern
"Make a firm covenant"
Binding legal or military guarantee.10
Theodotion (LXX)
"One week shall establish the covenant"
The timeframe itself solidifies the deal.11
The consensus among futurist scholars is that the "He" uses his superior political or military position to force a resolution to the Middle East crisis. The term higbir supports the idea of a "dictated peace" or a "security guarantee" where the Antichrist acts as the guarantor.15
IV. The Identity of the Enforcer: The Antecedent of "He"
The identity of the "He" who enforces the covenant is the single most contested variable in the interpretation of this passage. The grammatical structure of the text provides the primary evidence for identifying this figure as the Antichrist, distinct from the Messiah.
The Grammatical Argument for the Antichrist
The antecedent of a pronoun is typically the nearest preceding noun that agrees in gender and number. In verse 26, two primary figures are introduced:
The Messiah (Mashiach): Who is "cut off" (killed) and has nothing.
The Prince Who Is to Come (Nagid ha-ba): Specifically, the "people" (am) of this prince are the subject of the sentence regarding the destruction of the city.10
The "He" (weh-higbir) in verse 27 is a masculine singular pronoun.
Grammatical Proximity: The most proximate masculine singular noun is Nagid (Prince). While the "people" destroyed the city, the "Prince" is the titular figure associated with them. Therefore, the "He" of verse 27 is the "Prince who is to come".10
Dissociation from Messiah: The Messiah is "cut off" in verse 26. This Hebrew term karat often implies a violent death or execution. For the Messiah to be the subject of verse 27, one would have to argue that despite being "cut off" and having "nothing" (no kingdom, no immediate reception), He proceeds to make a seven-year covenant. Furthermore, the actions attributed to the "He" in verse 27—stopping the sacrifices and setting up an abomination—are antithetical to the ministry of Christ as presented in the New Testament.8
The Character of the Prince: The Prince is linked to the "people" who destroyed Jerusalem. Historically, these were the Romans. Thus, the Prince is a Roman figure. Since the Messiah was Jewish and was the victim of the Roman execution, He cannot be the "Prince" of the people who destroyed His own city. The "He" must be a future Roman ruler.8
The "Roman" Connection and the Revived Empire
The prophecy identifies the enforcer as coming from the "people" (am) who destroyed the sanctuary. Historically, this was the Roman Empire (Legions under Titus in A.D. 70).
Distinction from Titus: While Titus was the general who oversaw the destruction, he did not make a seven-year covenant with Israel, nor did he fulfill the "mid-week" cessation followed by a "consummation" poured out on the desolator. Titus went on to become Emperor and died of natural causes; he was not destroyed by a divine pouring out of wrath in the manner described in Daniel.9
The Future Prince: Consequently, futurists argue that the "Prince" is a future figure who arises from the cultural, political, or geographic lineage of Rome. This has given rise to the theory of a "Revived Roman Empire" (often associated with the European Union or a Western coalition) from which the Antichrist will emerge.10
Counter-Arguments: The Christological Interpretation
It is necessary to rigorously examine and refute the alternative views to establish the futurist position. The historicist and covenantal views argue that "He" refers to Christ.
The Argument: Proponents like Matthew Henry and Adam Clarke argue that Christ "confirmed" the Abrahamic covenant (Romans 15:8) through His ministry. They interpret the "one week" as the seven years of Christ's ministry (3.5 years of His own ministry + 3.5 years of the Apostles' ministry in Jerusalem). They argue that His death "caused the sacrifice to cease" in the sense that it rendered them theologically obsolete.18
The Refutation:
Timing of the Abomination: If Christ is the "He," then the "abomination of desolation" follows His ministry. However, Jesus explicitly spoke of the Abomination of Desolation as a future event in Matthew 24:15, to occur just before His Second Coming, long after His death.10
The Destruction: Verse 27 describes the desolator continuing until a "decreed end" is poured out on him. If Christ is the one confirming the covenant, He is not the one on whom the destruction is poured out. The text requires the "confirmer" and the "desolator" to be the same subject or intimately linked actions of the same subject.17
Grammatical Gymnastics: Attributing the "He" to the Messiah requires skipping over the "Prince who is to come" as the antecedent, violating standard Hebrew syntax.10
V. The Anatomy of the Treaty: Terms and Geopolitics
If the Antichrist enforces this covenant, what are its terms? The text allows for the deduction of several key provisions based on the consequences of the treaty and parallel scriptures in Isaiah and Revelation.
1. Security Guarantees ("Peace and Safety")
The covenant is made "with many" (la-rabbim), implying a multilateral agreement involving Israel and a coalition of nations.15
The "Covenant with Death": Isaiah 28:15-18 provides a parallel prophecy where the leaders of Jerusalem boast, "We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we are in agreement." This indicates that the motivation for the treaty is existential fear—likely the threat of an "overflowing scourge" (war or invasion). Israel enters the agreement seeking protection from an overwhelming threat, trusting in the military power of the "Prince" rather than YHWH.12
Mechanism of Protection: The Antichrist likely offers a "security guarantee"—a promise to defend Israel militarily against external aggression (perhaps from the King of the North or Islamic powers). This aligns with 1 Thessalonians 5:3, where the world declares "Peace and safety!" just before destruction hits.22
2. The Temple and Religious Freedom
A necessary inference from Daniel 9:27 is that the covenant facilitates the restoration of the Jewish sacrificial system.
The Logic of Cessation: The Antichrist puts a stop to sacrifice and offering in the middle of the week. For sacrifices to be stopped, they must first be started. For them to be started, there must be a functioning altar or Temple.22
The "Wing" of Abominations: The text mentions the "wing" (kanaph) of abominations.2 This is interpreted architecturally as a pinnacle or precinct of the rebuilt Temple.
The Deal: The "enforcement" likely involves a diplomatic breakthrough on the Jerusalem question, granting Israel the right to worship on the Temple Mount. This would be the ultimate diplomatic coup, solving the world's most intractable religious conflict.27 The Antichrist achieves what no other diplomat could: Jewish worship on the Mount alongside (or displacing) Islamic claims.
3. The "Many" (International Consensus)
The term "many" suggests that the Antichrist acts as a broker or guarantor for a group of nations.
Multilateralism: This is not a bilateral treaty between two heads of state, but a broad international accord. The "Prince" represents a coalition (the "ten horns" of Daniel 7).
Enforcement Mechanism: The use of higbir implies that the Antichrist has the military or political leverage to force recalcitrant parties to accept the deal. He "prevails" over the objections of radicals or opposing states to implement the plan.12
VI. The Chronology of Betrayal: The Mid-Week Crisis
The enforcement of the treaty initiates the final seven-year period (The 70th Week). However, the text highlights a critical turning point "in the midst of the week" (after three and a half years, or 1,260 days).
The Cessation of Sacrifice
At the midpoint, the Antichrist unilaterally abrogates the religious freedoms granted by the treaty. "He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease".2
The Betrayal: This marks the moment the "Prince" sheds his mask of benevolence. The "protector" of Israel becomes her persecutor. This event coincides with the war in heaven and the casting down of Satan in Revelation 12, who then empowers the Beast (Antichrist) to make war on the saints.28
The End of the Treaty: The seven-year agreement is effectively broken at the 3.5-year mark. The remaining 3.5 years (42 months) are characterized not by the treaty, but by the "Great Tribulation" or the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7).11
The Abomination of Desolation
The cessation of proper worship is immediately followed by the "overspreading of abominations" or the setup of the "abomination of desolation."
The Object: The Hebrew term shikkoots (abomination) is used for detestable idols. The phrase likely describes an idolatrous image placed in the Holy of Holies.29
The New Worship: According to Revelation 13, the False Prophet commands the inhabitants of the earth to make an image to the Beast and worship it. This image is given breath and speaks. The "abomination" is the establishment of the worship of the Antichrist in the very place dedicated to YHWH.20
VII. Eschatological Corollaries: Matthew 24 and 2 Thessalonians 2
The interpretation of Daniel 9:27 is powerfully reinforced by New Testament revelation, which treats the events of the 70th week as literal, future history.
The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24)
Jesus serves as the authoritative exegete of Daniel. In Matthew 24:15, He explicitly warns: "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place... then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."
Geographical Specificity: Jesus confirms the event takes place in the "holy place" (the Temple).
Timing: He places this event at the midpoint of the end times, triggering the "great tribulation" (v. 21), distinct from the "beginning of sorrows" (v. 8). This perfectly mirrors the structure of Daniel 9:27, where the mid-week cessation leads to desolation.30
The Man of Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2)
The Apostle Paul provides further detail on the personality behind the treaty. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, he describes the "Man of Lawlessness" 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."
The Act of Sitting: The "sitting" in the temple corresponds to the "abomination" of Daniel 9:27. It is the ultimate act of blasphemy.
The Link to the Treaty: Paul notes that this Man of Lawlessness cannot be revealed until the "Restrainer" is removed. Once revealed, he engages in the activities of the 70th week. The "revealing" of the Antichrist is likely simultaneous with his rise to power and the enforcement of the covenant.32
The Restrainer and the Timing
A crucial theological component regarding the timing of this enforcement is the identity of the "Restrainer" in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7.
The Restraint: Paul writes that the "mystery of lawlessness" is already at work but is being held back by a Restrainer. The "Man of Lawlessness" (Antichrist) cannot be fully revealed until this Restrainer is "taken out of the way".32
Pre-Tribulational Connection: Most pretribulationists identify the Restrainer as the Holy Spirit indwelling the Church. The removal of the Church (Rapture) removes the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit, allowing the Antichrist to rise to power and enforce the covenant.
The Sequence:
Removal of the Restrainer (Rapture): The chaotic aftermath of the disappearance of millions creates the geopolitical instability that necessitates a "strong man."
Revealing of the Antichrist: He steps forward with a solution.
Enforcement (Higbir) of the Covenant: The official start of the 70th Week.35
VIII. The Mechanism of "Enforcement" in Modern Geopolitics
While the text of Daniel is ancient, the futurist application requires analyzing how such an enforcement might manifest in the contemporary world. The linguistic cue of higbir (strengthening/confirming) is particularly relevant to modern diplomatic trends.
The "Confirmation" of Existing Frameworks
Since higbir implies making an existing covenant "strong," many eschatologists look to current dormant or fragile peace initiatives as the raw material for the future treaty.
The Abraham Accords & Normalization: Recent trends in normalizing relations between Israel and Arab states (UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia) create a framework of "the many." A future leader could "confirm" and expand these accords to include a comprehensive security pact that isolates radical elements.22
Security Guarantees: The concept of "security guarantees"—where Western powers promise to defend Israel in exchange for territorial or political concessions—fits the description of the "Covenant with Death." Israel trusts in the military umbrella of the "Prince" (Western/Global alliance) rather than God. The Antichrist may act as the head of NATO, the EU, or a UN coalition to provide these guarantees.15
The "Deal of the Century": Various US-led peace plans have been proposed over the decades. The Antichrist's genius may lie in taking a plan that previously failed (due to lack of enforcement) and using his global authority to impose it upon the region, forcing compliance from the Palestinians and other Arab nations.12
The Psychology of Acceptance
Why would Israel accept such a covenant from a Gentile ruler?
Desperation: A major war (such as the Gog-Magog war of Ezekiel 38) or the threat of nuclear annihilation may drive Israel to seek a savior at any cost.
Deception: The Antichrist will initially present himself as a friend of Israel, a brilliant statesman and peacemaker. He will not appear as a monster initially, but as a "savior" who allows them to rebuild their Temple.22
Spiritual Blindness: Daniel 9:24 mentions that the prophecy concerns the "finishing of transgression." Israel is currently in a state of partial hardening (Romans 11:25). Their acceptance of the false messiah is part of the judgment that leads to their ultimate refinement.2
IX. Comparative Eschatological Views
To provide a truly exhaustive report, the futurist view detailed above must be contrasted with other major interpretations of the enforcement in Daniel 9:27. Understanding the alternatives strengthens the case for the futurist perspective by highlighting the deficiencies in historical or allegorical readings.
Interpretation
Identity of "He"
Nature of Covenant
"Midst of Week" Event
Status of "Enforcement"
Futurist
Antichrist
7-year Peace Treaty with Israel.
Abomination of Desolation; Temple desecration.
Future: Initiates the Tribulation.
Preterist
Titus / Rome
Roman military siege/arrangement.
Destruction of Jerusalem (A.D. 70).
Past: Fulfilled in 1st Century.9
Historicist
Messiah
Covenant of Grace / Gospel.
Crucifixion (End of sacrifices' validity).
Past: Fulfilled at the Cross.4
Covenantal
Messiah
New Covenant (confirmed to many).
Crucifixion (Rent veil).
Past/Ongoing: Theological fulfillment.18
Critique of Non-Futurist Views
The Preterist Challenge: Preterists argue the "Prince" is Titus. However, Titus did not make a covenant for seven years; he destroyed the city. The "week" does not fit the timeline of the Jewish War (A.D. 66-73) precisely in terms of a covenant made and broken. The war lasted 7 years, but the destruction of the Temple occurred in A.D. 70, which does not align with a "covenant" being made at the beginning of the war in A.D. 66 by the Roman general.8 Furthermore, Titus did not suffer the "decreed end" poured out on the desolator as described in verse 27; he returned to Rome in triumph.
The Historicist/Covenantal Challenge: If Christ is the "He," the "abomination" that follows is difficult to reconcile. Jesus placed the abomination in the future (Matt 24), and the destruction of the city (v. 26) happens after the Messiah is cut off. Grammatically, attributing the actions of v. 27 to the Messiah requires skipping over the "Prince" of v. 26 as the antecedent. Additionally, Christ's ministry did not last seven years, and while His death ended the validity of sacrifices, the practice of sacrifices continued for another 40 years until A.D. 70, which does not fit the "causing to cease" description.10
X. Theological Implications of the Enforcement
The enforcement of the covenant is not merely a political event; it is a theological watershed that demarcates the ages.
1. The Counterfeit Messiah
The Antichrist mimics Christ in a diabolical parody.
Christ establishes a New Covenant; the Antichrist establishes a "covenant with death."
Christ is the Prince of Peace; the Antichrist is a prince of false peace.
Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice; the Antichrist stops the sacrifice to demand worship of himself.
Christ cleansed the Temple; the Antichrist defiles it.22
2. Israel's Blindness and the Time of Jacob's Trouble
The signing of the treaty indicates that national Israel, in the last days, initially accepts a false messiah or political savior. This aligns with Jesus' statement in John 5:43: "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".23 The treaty is the ultimate act of national apostasy, trusting in man rather than God. This necessitates the "Time of Jacob's Trouble"—the Tribulation—which acts as a refining fire to purge the rebels and bring the remnant to repentance (Zechariah 13:8-9).2
3. The Catalyst for Divine Judgment
The enforcement of the treaty is the legal trigger for the unleashing of the Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls of Revelation. It is the event that signals to the cosmos that the "Times of the Gentiles" are ending. The "consummation" mentioned in verse 27 is the pouring out of God's wrath not just on the Desolator, but on the world system that accepted his rule.
XI. Conclusion: The Final Countdown
The "enforcement" of the peace treaty in Daniel 9:27 is the singular event that unlocks the final sequence of biblical prophecy. It is an act of geopolitical imposition (higbir) by a future ruler (the Antichrist) who rises from the heritage of the Roman Empire. This individual will capitalize on a global crisis to guarantee Israel's security and permit Temple worship, likely "confirming" a dormant or internationally supported framework.
However, this covenant is a deception—a "covenant with death." Its enforcement marks the beginning of the Seventieth Week, and its violation at the midpoint marks the descent into the Great Tribulation. The grammatical link to the "Prince who is to come," the cross-reference to the "Abomination of Desolation" in Matthew 24, and the description of the "Man of Lawlessness" in 2 Thessalonians 2 converge to present a portrait of a final, deceptive world leader who enforces peace only to destroy it.
For the student of eschatology, the "enforcement" is the definitive signpost. It signifies that the "Restrainer" has been removed, the "Times of the Gentiles" are nearing fulfillment, and the consummation of the age is at hand. The prophecy of Daniel 9:27 remains the indispensable key to understanding the future of the Middle East, the fate of Israel, and the return of the true King, who will not sign a treaty for seven years, but will reign for a thousand.
Works cited
The Messiah Would Come According to a Timetable - Jews for Jesus, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://jewsforjesus.org/messianic-prophecies/the-messiah-would-come-according-to-a-timetable
Daniel 9:27 Commentary - Precept Austin, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.preceptaustin.org/daniel_927
Daniel 9:24-27: The Sixty-Ninth and Seventieth Weeks - Associates for Biblical Research, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://biblearchaeology.org/abr-projects/the-daniel-9-24-27-project-2/4760-daniel-9-24-27-the-sixty-ninth-and-seventieth-weeks
Christ or antichrist: The mysterious gap in Daniel 9 - Ministry Magazine, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1982/05/christ-or-antichrist-the-mysterious-gap-in-daniel-9
Did the Bible Prophesy Last Week's Middle East Peace Treaty? - Proclaim & Defend, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.proclaimanddefend.org/2025/10/19/did-the-bible-prophesy-last-weeks-middle-east-peace-treaty/
Background on Daniel 9:24-27 - Precept Austin, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.preceptaustin.org/daniel_924-27
Daniel 9:27 "He shall confirm" - B-Hebrew, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://bhebrew.biblicalhumanities.org/viewtopic.php?t=566
Dan 9:26-27 antecedent of He shall confirm a covenant - B-Hebrew, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://bhebrew.biblicalhumanities.org/viewtopic.php?t=22515
Subject in Daniel 9:27 messiah or prince? - B-Hebrew: The Biblical Hebrew Forum, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://bhebrew.biblicalhumanities.org/viewtopic.php?t=494
Who is the "he" that makes a covenant in Daniel 9:27? - Bible Hub, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://biblehub.com/q/Who_is_he_in_Daniel_9_27_covenant.htm
Daniel 9:27 And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him." - Bible Hub, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://biblehub.com/daniel/9-27.htm
Daniel 9:27 and the Confirmation of a Covenant - Mystery of Israel, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://mysteryofisrael.org/daniel-927-and-the-confirmation-of-a-covenant/
An Investigation of the Chronology of Daniel 9:24-27 - Centro White, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://cdn.centrowhite.org.br/home/uploads/2022/11/AND049.pdf
Daniel 9.27-The Antichrist's Peace Treaty with Israel Begins Daniel's Seventieth Week, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/921999-daniel-9.27-the-antichrist%27s-peace-treaty-with-israel-begins-daniel%27s-seventieth-week
The Seven Year Peace Plan Of Daniel 9:27 May Be Underway: Trump Meets With Seven European Leaders - Robert Clifton Robinson, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://robertcliftonrobinson.com/2025/08/18/the-seven-year-peace-plan-of-daniel-7-may-be-underway-trump-meets-with-seven-european-leaders/
What does Daniel 9:27 mean? - BibleRef.com, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.bibleref.com/Daniel/9/Daniel-9-27.html
A Study of Daniel 9:24 - 27 Part IV - SpiritAndTruth.org, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.spiritandtruth.org/teaching/documents/articles/32/32-contents.htm
Antichrist, Covenant, and Daniel 9:27 - Steve Durkac, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.durkac.com/antichrist-covenant-and-daniel-927/
The Seventy Weeks of Daniel -- An Interpretation of Daniel 9:24-27 (Part Four) - Riddleblog, accessed on November 23, 2025, http://kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com/the-latest-post/2020/7/27/the-seventy-weeks-of-daniel-an-interpretation-of-daniel-924.html
abomination of desolation - The Institute for Creation Research, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.icr.org/books/defenders/5757
Daniel 9:27 Hebrew Text Analysis - Bible Hub, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://biblehub.com/text/daniel/9-27.htm
Why Is The Seven-Year Peace Treaty The Next Important Prophetic Event? Are We Seeing This Event Take Place Now? - Robert Clifton Robinson, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://robertcliftonrobinson.com/2025/09/30/why-is-the-seven-year-peace-treaty-the-next-important-prophetic-event-are-we-seeing-this-event-take-place-now/
Is the proposed peace plan for Israel the covenant that will begin the tribulation?, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://ariel.org/arnold-answers/is-the-proposed-peace-plan-for-israel-the-covenant-that-will-begin-the-tribulation/
Israel's Peace Treaty with the Antichrist - By Faith, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://byfaith.org/2022/10/08/israels-peace-treaty-with-the-antichrist/
Did Jesus Christ “Confirm the Covenant”? - Mark McMillion, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://markmcmillion.com/jesus-christ-confirm-covenant/
Daniel 9.27c-The Antichrist Will Cause the Desecration of the Temple from Between the Wings of the Cherubim which Results in Abominations - Logos Sermons, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://sermons.faithlife.com/sermons/846823-daniel-9.27c-the-antichrist-will-cause-the-desecration-of-the-temple-from-between-the-wings-of-the-cherubim-which-results-in-abominations
The Run Up to Armageddon - Word By Mail, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://wordbymail.com/daniel-11-36-45-sermon-the-run-up-to-armageddon
Daniel 8:25 Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands - Bible Hub, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://biblehub.com/daniel/8-25.htm
Will Israel Build a Temple in Jerusalem? - Walvoord.com, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://walvoord.com/article/113
Does Daniel's abomination of desolation have multiple fulfillments? 1. The temple/ Antiochus, the temple/ 70AD/ future during the tribulation. : r/Bible - Reddit, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Bible/comments/10ry0yi/does_daniels_abomination_of_desolation_have/
Matthew 24:15-25 "The Great Tribulation" by Pastor John Miller, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.revival.tv/sermons/the-kings-return/the-great-tribulation/
Who Is the Man of Lawlessness? (2 Thessalonians 2) - Crossway, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.crossway.org/articles/who-is-the-man-of-lawlessness-2-thessalonians-23-10/
End times timeline — rapture, antichrist, and the tribulation | NeverThirsty, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-qa/qa-archives/question/end-times-timeline-rapture-antichrist-and-tribulation/
Who / What is the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6? | GotQuestions.org, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.gotquestions.org/restrainer.html
accessed on November 23, 2025, https://nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb20101024.htm
Daniel 9.27, 2 Thessalonians 2.3-4-The Antichrist Breaks His Treaty with Israel in the Middle of Daniel's Seventieth Week - Logos Sermons, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/923716-daniel-9.27-2-thessalonians-2.3-4-the-antichrist-breaks-his-treaty-with-israel-in-the-middle-of-daniel%27s-seventieth-week
End-Time Prophecy: Will There Be Peace in the Middle East? | Messianic Bible, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.messianicbible.com/feature/end-time-prophecy-will-peace-middle-east/
What is the basis for the idea of a seven year peace treaty with Israel in the end times? - Christianity Stack Exchange, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/24111/what-is-the-basis-for-the-idea-of-a-seven-year-peace-treaty-with-israel-in-the-e
A Strong Covenant With Many: Seeing the Atonement in Daniel 9:24–27 - Christ Over All, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://christoverall.com/article/concise/a-strong-covenant-with-many-seeing-the-atonement-in-daniel-924-27/
Chapter 78: Daniel's Seventy Weeks | Third Peter, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://thirdpeter.com/2024/06/28/chapter-78-daniels-seventy-weeks/
The Seventy Weeks of Daniel by Thomas Ice One of the most important prophecy passages in the whole Bible is that of God's prop - The Pre-Trib Research Center, accessed on November 23, 2025, https://www.pre-trib.org/pretribfiles/pdfs/Ice-TheSeventyWeeksOfDaniel.pdf
