Randy the first thing to realize is that there is not a seven-year tribulation that doctrine comes from the misinterpretation of Dan 9:27
The words,
He Shall Confirm The Covenant with Many, represents a mystery that is not understood by many.
The link above should help in sorting this out. Here is a portion of that message.
By correctly understanding Dan 9:27, we realize several important facts.
- There is no seven year tribulation, as the deceitful interpretation of this verse is the only excuse made for a seven year tribulation period.
- Christ caused the sacrifice and the oblations to cease, so there will not be a Jewish temple with the old ordinances becoming reinstated.
Christ claimed that Jerusalem would become desolate and remain in that spiritual condition, until His return for the second gathering of His people. Often times it is errantly taught that the Israel of 1948 represents the second gathering prophesied in scripture.
At the true second gathering, all the righteous in Christ will reign in a Gloriously restored Jerusalem. No longer will Jerusalem be spiritually referred to as Sodom and Egypt, as it is during the Great Tribulation (Rev 11:8).
He shall confirm the covenant with many, points to Christ who was the one who caused the sacrifices and the oblations to cease, as he was the final sacrifice. After the cross, never again would animal sacrifices be acceptable. In the midst of the week, or after his three and a half year ministry, Christ sacrificed Himself for us. Daniel also tells us that for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate. This refers to the false house of Judah that had become as dross, or worthless (Eze 22:19-21, Luke 13:35).
Behold your house is left to you desolate, was the decree given unto Jerusalem by Christ (Math 23:38). The Lord, at many times throughout their history, did not recognize their religious sacrifices as being valid (Isa 66:3-4; Isa 1:11).
He shall confirm the covenant with many is in no way a reference to the antichrist, however Christ will confirm the covenant with many. The suggestion that the covenant spoken of in Daniel 9:27, is a covenant made with Israel by the Antichrist, is a terrible lie and is not supported anywhere in the scriptures.
The word covenant is used seven times in Daniel, and only once is it not a representation of the holy covenant of God.
Daniel 11:21-22 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant,(or treaty).
The covenant here is between two men, and in this case refers to an alliance or pledge.
Daniel 11:23 And after the league (or uniting together) made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
The antichrist or little horn of Daniel does not confirm the covenant, but is in fact very much opposed to, or against it with considerable force.
Dan 11:28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.
Dan 11:30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant
: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
By understanding that the commandments of God are contained in Christ's testimony, Rev 12:17, takes on a completely different meaning. Those who say they are of the spiritual house of Judah, but are not, do not keep these commandments. So obviously this is a reference to Christians, that the Beast and False Prophet persecute. This means that there is no pre tribulation rapture, only the true believers have the testimony of Jesus (1Cor1:6; Rev 1:9; Rev 12:11).
From the above verse it is clear to see that the dragon through his fleshly representative makes war with the remnant, who are the Christians that have the testimony of Christ.
He shall confirm the covenant with many is in reference to Christ who did confirm the covenant with many. His earthly ministry was for three and a half years. This leaves the second half of the last week still unfulfilled. Many grasp the truth that Daniel 9:27, refers to Christ as the one who does the confirming. However they believe that it is a consecutive seven year period with the latter half confirmation taking place through his disciples.
Christ did confirm the covenant with many, and this confirmation process began at the beginning of the New Testament age.
The interpretation of the words "He Shall Confirm The Covenant with Many" will impact our understanding of other prophetic passages. The truth hidden in this passage will undoubtedly unravel many other deceptions that are all to common in end time prophecy teachings.
Most teachers of Christianity falsely claim that this verse is all about the anti Christ making a covenant with Israel for seven years.
Dan 9:27 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.
From the command to rebuild Jerusalem until Christ is a period of sixty nine weeks of years; the emphasis in this verse is on Jesus Christ (Dan 9:25).
And after this period of time Messiah shall be cut off; the emphasis in this verse is also on Him (Dan 9:26). Likewise in Dan 9:27, the emphasis is still on Jesus. He shall confirm the covenant with many.
The words “he shall" are added by the translator twice. Therefore, what is being described in the first part of this passage is the confirming or establishment of a covenant with many for one week. This means that the emphasis is on confirming a covenant, and it may be confirmed by multiple sources. He shall confirm the covenant with many, is in reference to Christ's covenant.
The first half of the seventieth week of Daniel was fulfilled in Christ; His ministry was for three and one half years. The promise that He shall confirm the covenant with many, is in reference to Christ's covenant, and is already partially fulfilled.