Peacefully and Prosperously: Middle East Peace and the Bible
by Steve Barwick
As anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock should know, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been tasked with bringing about “peace in the Middle East.”
And after many months of planning and fine-tuning, he’s finally beginning to unveil his peace plan, in what are being called “Peace to Prosperity” workshops.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Kushner’s basic pitch is that “economic prosperity is the pathway to Mideast peace.”
And according to an article on the WhiteHouse.gov website:
“Peace to Prosperity is a vision to empower the Palestinian people to build a prosperous and vibrant Palestinian society.
It consists of three initiatives that will support distinct pillars of the Palestinian society: the economy, the people, and the government.
With the potential to facilitate more than $50 billion in new investment over ten years, Peace to Prosperity represents the most ambitious and comprehensive international effort for the Palestinian people to date.
It has the ability to fundamentally transform the West Bank and Gaza and to open a new chapter in Palestinian history—one defined, not by adversity and loss, but by freedom and dignity.
If implemented, Peace to Prosperity will empower the Palestinian people to build the society that they have aspired to establish for generations.
With the support of the international community, this vision is within reach. Ultimately, however, the power to unlock it lies in the hands of the Palestinian people. Only through peace can the Palestinians achieve prosperity.”
That web page goes on to say, “Peace to Prosperity will unlock the vast potential of the Palestinian people by empowering them to pursue their goals and ambitions. This part of the vision will support the Palestinian people through education, workforce development, and an improved quality of life.”
So basically, Kushner’s pitch to the Palestinians is: “Come make peace with Israel, and in turn we’ll make you prosperous for doing so.” Yes, it’s a bribe.
How the Antichrist Comes to Power
Anyone who’s studied the Bible with me for any length of time knows that the Scripture tells us the antichrist comes into power “peacefully and prosperously.”
Therefore, seeing moves in that direction, particularly in the Middle East, gives us a “heads-up” that the events of the very end are getting ready to play out. After all, the Scripture tells us that the antichrist comes into power peacefully and prosperously.
As it’s written in the great book of Daniel:
Dan 11:21 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.
The word “peaceably” in the above verse is translated from the Hebrew word shalvâh (H-7962), and it means “security, abundance, peace and prosperity.”
And the word “flatteries in this verse should be translated “blandishments,” which simply means “smooth talk” or pleasing statements designed to persuade. You might think of these as the promises of abundance being made in exchange for peace.
Jumping down to verse 24, we see more about the peace and prosperity that are ushered in by the antichrist:
Dan 11:24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
Again, the word “peaceably” in the above verse is translated from the Hebrew word shalvâh (H-7962), and it means “security, abundance, peace and prosperity.”
In other words, when antichrist arrives he’ll use peace and prosperity to cement his control of the Middle East, and ultimately, the world.
He’ll “scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches,” meaning he’ll usher in a socialistic system promising to provide prosperity for all, or, as the old saying goes, a chicken in every pot and two cars in every garage.
But of course, just as the “prosperity” being offered to the Palestinians is offered solely in return for their fealty to the Israelis, so the “prosperity” that will be offered by the antichrist is offered solely in return for worshipping him as “God” (II Thessalonians 2:1-4).
What’s the Sign of Christ’s Second Coming?
This, of course, is exactly what we’re told in the New Testament, as well. As it’s written in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5:
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
The subject matter of these verses is the “day of the Lord,” meaning Christ’s Second Advent.
His second advent will come unexpectedly (i.e., “as a thief in the night”), because the antichrist will be on earth at that time, working his miracles (Rev. 13:XX)…proclaiming himself to be “God” (II Thess. 2:4)…. and re-distributing wealth among all of the people (Daniel 11:24).
And as the antichrist institutes this “Peace to Prosperity” plan, globally, everyone with the exception of God’s elect will believe him to be the Messiah of God, instituting the kingdom of heaven on earth.
It’s important to note that the word “peace” in the above verse is translated from the Greek word eirēnē (G-1515). It’s very similar to the Hebrew word shalvâh which we looked at earlier, as it too means both “peace” and “prosperity.”
The word “safety” as used in the above verse is translated from the Greek word asphaleia (G-803), meaning “security.”
So we see from all of this the fact that a false peace, prosperity and security are the major signs of the time just before the arrival of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Just a Proposed Plan
Of course, we’re not to that point, yet. Not even close.
Right now, with the Kushner “Peace to Prosperity” deal, we’re only hearing initial talk of peace and prosperity — talk we’ve been hearing for the last 40 years or so, which has never panned out.
But that talk must be institutionalized politically and transformed into action before we can expect our Lord and Savior’s arrival. And that won’t happen until after the antichrist arrives onto the scene, and makes his own peace deal (covenant) with the people. As it’s written:
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.
In other words, there will be a seven year peace treaty (likely reduced to the five months of Revelation 9:5, as per Mark 13:20). And halfway through that peace treaty the antichrist will seat himself in the holy place and proclaim himself to be God (II Thessalonians 2:4), thus eliminating the need for “the sacrifice and the oblation,” which is the equivalent of communion.
So yes, while the Kushner “Peace to Prosperity” deal is a very distinct sign of the direction things are moving toward in the Middle East, and can even be considered a precursor to it, there’s still quite a ways to go.
Satan Comes First, Then Christ Afterwards
Always keep in mind the benchmarks St. Paul gave us, when he discussed Christ’s Second Advent in II Thessalonians chapter 2. As it’s written:
2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
The subject matter is Christ’s Second Advent. Paul is saying we should not expect it to happen until certain events come to pass, first. Let’s see what events need to happen first, before Christ can return:
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Christ’s day cannot come until first you see a “falling away” (i.e., apostasy) and that “man of sin…the son of perdition” being revealed.
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
The chief characteristic of the antichrist is that he opposes God (Rev. 13:6) and exalts himself above “all that is called God, or that is worshipped.” He wants you to worship him, more than anything else. And he’ll give you a nice big bag of groceries and a wad of cash, if you will.
He also seats himself in the temple of God, exhibiting himself as God. That’s precisely what Christ meant when He said:
Mar 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
But instead of fleeing to the mountains, most folks will be racing to the Middle East to honor the man as their “God” and to scramble for “the prey, and spoil, and riches” that he’ll be scattering among them (Dan. 11:24) as a bribe for their loyalty.
As it’s written of that time, the entire globe goes ga-ga over him:
Zec 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
Of course, the “ten men…out of all languages of the nations” will be the ten kings who submit themselves to the reign of the antichrist and agree to rule under him (Daniel 7:24; Revelation 17:12).
We haven’t seen those ten kings come onto the scene, yet. Nor have we seen the antichrist show up.
What’s more, there are a number of other prophetic issues that need to transpire before the antichrist can arrive, and his global “Peace to Prosperity” plan can be unleashed.
For example, the war against Iran, which is prophesied of in Daniel chapter 8, and which precedes the antichrist’s arrival (Dan. 8:9-11), has not yet taken place (though it may have come close earlier this month when President Trump ordered a military attack on Iran, and then called it off within minutes before it was to be launched).
My Point
My point being this:
Kushner’s “Peace to Prosperity” plan is merely a sign that we’re heading in the direction the Scripture tells us to watch for.
But…it’s not time for the end, yet. It’s the antichrist himself who will usher in “peace in the Middle East,” and, quite frankly, peace and prosperity around the world.
But, of course, the children of the antichrist love to imitate their father the devil and carry out his policies (John 8:44).
So let it be no big surprise to you that Kushner is calling for “Peace to Prosperity” in the Middle East. After all, as we’ve seen, the Scripture quite clearly tells us that “Peace to Prosperity” is the calling card of the antichrist. So it should be no surprise that it’s the calling card of his children, as well.
So this isn’t quite yet the end. But it’s certainly a signal to you that everything is playing out just the way the Holy Scripture says it will.
Post Script: Kushner’s so-called “peace to prosperity” plan is not off to a particularly great start. Indeed, in his first dog-and-pony show selling the “Peace to Prosperity” plan, not one Israeli leader showed up. And not one Palestinian leader showed up.
As far as I can tell, the only people who showed up were from the wealthier Arab nations concerned about how much money “peace in the Middle East” is going to cost them.
So it’s truly not been an auspicious start to what’s being billed as the “Deal of the Century.”
My best guess at the moment is that the peace process will ultimately fail…there will be more frustration and pain in the Middle East…and the war on Iran will finally begin (because if we can’t buy peace, we might as well brutalize those who are holding up the process).
And then, after the war with Iran is over, the countdown to antichrist’s arrival and to his version of “Peace to Prosperity” will begin.
And unfortunately, that particular “Peace to Prosperity” plan will work — on a global scale. Father allows it to, in order to see which of His children know His Word enough to refrain from falling for Satan’s deception, and which don’t.
And then, our Lord and Savior will arrive to destroy the entire global economic system that will have been set in place by Satan in his role as the false Messiah. And the howls of the merchants of the earth will be heard for miles (Revelation 18), for their “peace and prosperity” under Satan will be over.
As the Scripture plainly tells us, it’s “When they shall say, ‘Peace and safety’; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.”
In other words, when they’re bragging about having finally achieved “peace and safety,” Christ arrives to turn that empty brag on its ear. And their economic system ends with breathtaking destruction in a single day (Revelation 18:8)…even a single hour (Revelation 18:10).
So keep your eyes open. Watch the events unfold. But always analyze them in light of Scripture.
Don’t let men pull you off track based on emotionalism. Man’s “peace plan” is not the “Peace to Prosperity” we’ll actually end up with just before Christ’s arrival. Satan’s is.
In the meanwhile, stay firmly on the watch. Things are moving faster than you might think.
Regards in Christ,
Steve Barwick
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