Understanding “The Deal of the Century”
in light of Biblical Prophecy
“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.”
By Mike Wingfield
The Middle East has had a history of violence and wars for millennia! For 4,000 years the sons of Ishmael and the sons of Isaac have been in a bitter battle over the land God promised to the Jewish people. According to the Bible, God established an eternal land covenant with the descendants of Abraham through the line of Isaac and Jacob. Therefore, the conflict over the Promised Land traces its roots to the ancient conflict between the sons of Isaac (Jews) and the sons of Ishmael (Arabs). 
The Biblical prophecies indicate that due to their disobedience, God would thrust the Jewish people out of their land and eventually scatter them to the nations of the world (Deuteronomy 28:63-64). Then, in the last days, God would cause them to return to the land of their forefathers (Jeremiah 30:3). This would reignite the ancient conflict over the land. Ezekiel 36:1-7 indicates that Israel would be in conflict over the Promised Land with the nations surrounding them. It is not an accident that all of these countries are currently Arab/Islamic nations.
The Bible indicates that the conflict over the Holy Land will culminate in a false treaty between Israel and Satan’s counterfeit messiah – the Antichrist (Daniel 9:27). According to the Bible, the signing of this treaty will mark the beginning of a very deadly and dangerous seven years referred to as “The Tribulation Period.” Therefore, any human effort to bring about a covenant to resolve the conflict between Israel and her Arab/Islamic neighbors captures the attention of students of Bible prophecy. We wonder how any attempt to bring peace to the Middle East will relate to the future covenant Israel will make with the Antichrist.
There have been many attempts to bring the Israelis and the Palestinians to the peace table to create a peace treaty. The leaders of the world have had a longstanding goal of bringing a durable peace in the Middle East. All attempts to bring about such an agreement have failed.
Peace between Israel and her Arab neighbors has been the focus of many American presidential administrations for more than 40 years. In March 1979, President Jimmy Carter persuaded the leaders of Israel and Egypt to sign “The Camp David Peace Accords.” This cold form of peace between Egypt and Israel remains in effect today.
In September 1993, President Bill Clinton helped finalize the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians with the signing of the Oslo Peace Accords. Instead of creating an atmosphere of peace, the so-called accords resulted in the
Palestinians launching a series of terrorist attacks against innocent Israeli citizens. Thousands were killed in just a few years after these accords were signed. Then, under the direction of President Bill Clinton, a peace treaty that still exists between the Arab country of Jordan and Israel was signed on October 26, 1994.
Twice more, President Clinton attempted to bring about a peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israel. In October 1998, President Clinton directed the Wy River Memorandum with negotiations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat. In President Clinton’s final attempt at brokering a peace agreement, he met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Arafat at the Camp David Summit in July 2000. At this summit, Israel offered the Palestinians 94 percent of the disputed land called the “West Bank.” Arafat rejected the offer from the Israelis, leaving President Clinton frustrated and furious. This outright rejection by the now deceased PLO leader made it clear that the Palestinians are not really interested in any deal that does not give them all of the land of Israel. They are not interested in controlling only the area known as the “West Bank.”
In February 2005, President George W. Bush brought together the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, and Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, at the Red Sea Summit. These talks resulted in a removed of Jewish residents from the Gaza area. After this attempt to bring peace, Hamas, a terrorist group supported by Iran, overthrew the Palestinian leadership and took over Gaza. Since that time, Israel has had three wars with Hamas. Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza continue to launch rocket attacks against Israel. In recent months, they have fired hundreds of rockets and missiles into southern Israel.
In November 2008, President George W. Bush invited Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Abbas to the peace table again. In this meeting, the Israelis offered the Palestinians 98 percent of the West Bank and additional land. Once again, the Palestinian leadership rejected this generous offer.
On January 28, 2020, after two years of research, President Donald Trump unveiled his “Deal of the Century.” The Israelis accepted the peace plan, along with many other Persian Gulf Arab states. However, the Palestinians refused to attend the gathering and made it very clear they are in firm opposition to it.
Let us examine this peace plan in light of the prophetic Scriptures. First, it must be understood that this is not theAntichrist’s peace plan spoken about in Daniel 9:27. That covenant will begin the Tribulation Period.
Obviously, the Tribulation Period has not begun, even though signs of its coming are growing more evident each day. Therefore, this peace offer is not the agreement spoken about in Daniel 9:27.
Let us examine the Trump peace offer in light of Biblical prophecy. Overall, this plan calls for a two-state solution to the conflict. It calls for a Jewish State (Israel) that would be recognized alongside a Palestinian State (Palestine). The map below represents the starting point for negotiations concerning the final borders of each state. Notice that the darker areas would represent Palestine, connected to Gaza by an underground tunnel. The 15 circled areas represent Jewish communities that would be imbedded within Palestine. Each Jewish community would have a road linking it to a part of the Jewish state. 
Major Points of the Trump Peace Plan
Under the Trump plan, no Israelis or Palestinians would be uprooted from their homes. The plan attempts to accept the current population demographics in these territories. Israelis would need to agree to freeze settlement growth for four years while negotiations for the Palestinian State continue. Jerusalem would remain Israel’s undivided capital, while Palestinians would get an East Jerusalem community, Abu Dis, as their recognized capital. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which has long been a point of friction between the Arabs and the Israelis, would remain a place of Muslim worship.
Positive Aspects of the Trump Peace Plan
I applaud the efforts of the Trump administration and the Israeli leadership for seeking peace. President Trump is the first U.S. president to clearly demonstrate an unwillingness to appease the Arab world by caving in to the demands of the Arab world and jeopardize the security of Israel. His plan also calls for the Arabs to recognize Israel. This is something that the entire Arab world has refused to do since 1948. The Trump plan also recognizes Israel’s security needs. It allows Israel to annex the entire Jordan Valley. Israel believes this is most significant to assure that it would be able to militarily repel a ground invasion from the east. Study the map below and you can see why this is so important to the Israelis.
This plan also demands that the Palestinian State would be demilitarized. It calls for the Palestinians to end incitement against Israel and to stop pay-for-slay benefits to terrorists in jail and families of terrorist martyrs. Overall, the Trump plan is the most balanced of all previous plans. It attempts to create a fair approach to what has become an impossible nightmare.
Negative Points of the Trump Peace Plan
However, the Trump plan does not consider the deeply rooted religious passions of the Muslim Arabs. At the heart of this conflict is the Muslim belief that the area called Palestine was a part of the Islamic empire for hundreds of years. Therefore, it must never be surrendered to any infidel (non-Muslim). For devout Muslims, recognizing Israel as a legitimate state would be an act of religious treason and bring disgrace to their god. From the Islamic perspective, there is no acceptable solution for the existence of a Jewish state on Muslim land. This deep passion and hatred will lead the Antichrist and his jihad forces to the final conflict called Armageddon.
A major point of the Trump plan is an attempt to divide the land that God promised to the Jewish people in His eternal land covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God told Moses “the land is mine” (Leviticus 25:23). The Bible repeatedly declares that God has chosen the Jewish people to be the caretakers of His land. The Bible calls the land Israel’s heritage or possession (Psalm 136:21-22).
The prophetic Word of God declares that God will “cause” (Jeremiah 30:3) His people to return to their land in the last days. God said to Israel, “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land” (Ezekiel 36:24). Therefore, any attempt to take this land away from the Jewish people should be viewed as entering into a direct conflict with God Almighty. God said that one of the major reasons for Armageddon will be His vengeance due to the nations’ abuse of His people. He has declared, they have “scattered [them] among the nations, and parted my land” (Joel 3:2).
Should this plan be adopted, 15 Jewish communities on the West Bank would be surrounded by a Palestinian controlled authority. It may look like it would be feasible at this time when Israel has a great friend in the White House. However, that could radically change in the future with a change in U.S. leadership. If that occurs, it would become a very difficult arrangement to maintain, and we could see a repeat of what happened in the Gaza area several years ago.
The Palestinians have proven that they are not reliable partners for peace. They continue to incite hatred toward the Israelis. The Palestinians have a pattern of breaking promises they make. Their untrustworthiness grows out of their Islamic doctrine. Islam teaches that is acceptable to tell a lie and deceive an enemy for the glory of their god, Allah.
It is apparent to me that the global stage has been prepared for the entrance of the man of sin – the Antichrist. If this is so, then the Antichrist is presently standing in the political shadows ready to confirm his false covenant with Israel, thus beginning the Tribulation Period.
In light of this, let us examine a text that defines the nature of this future covenant and the events in Israel that take place at that time. That text is Isaiah 28:14-22.
Does Isaiah 28:14-22 Refer to the
Antichrist’s Covenant?
How can we be sure that Isaiah’s covenant in this text refers to the covenant mentioned in Daniel 9:27? There are three considerations that convince me that Isaiah is referring to the covenant of the Antichrist. First, this covenant will lead to a time when Israel will suffer a major military invasion. This is described in verse 18 as “when the overflowing scourge shall pass through.” Furthermore, this is described as a time when Israel will “be trodden down by it” (verse 18). While speaking about the Tribulation Period and the resulting battle of Armageddon, Jesus said that “Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). In describing the last half of the Tribulation, the Apostle John declared that the Temple Mount and the city of Jerusalem would be controlled by the Gentiles. He wrote, “it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months” (Revelation 11:2). Notice that Jesus and John refer to Jerusalem being trodden down, as does Isaiah.
Isaiah also points to historical examples of how Israel’s future enemies will be defeated at the time of this failed covenant. Verse 21 states, “For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work: and bring to pass his act, his strange act.” In this verse, Isaiah says that the defeat of Israel’s enemies at the time of this failed covenant will be similar to two other times in Israel’s history. On both occasions, the Lord supernaturally intervened to destroy Israel’s enemy. First, Isaiah points to 1 Chronicles 14:10-17. This text speaks of the supernatural defeat of the Philistines during the days of King David. [It is most interesting to note that the word Palestine comes from the word Philistine.] Then, Isaiah mentions the connection with the last-day battle with the “valley of Gibeon,” (verse 21) which is the Valley of Jezreel, or the valley of Armageddon. So, Isaiah connects this covenant with a people, the Palestinians, and a place, the valley of Armageddon.
Furthermore, Isaiah describes the acts of God during this time as God’s “strange work,” or “strange act” (verse 21). The late Biblical scholar, Alva J. McClain, connects these unique acts of God with events during the Tribulation (Alva J. McClain, The Greatness of the Kingdom, p. 188).
The strange act that the Lord will use to destroy the forces of the Antichrist is described in Zechariah 14:12, “Their flesh shall consume (melt) away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” According to a multitude of prophetic Scriptures, Armageddon will end with the most colossal global upheaval known to man. Unparalleled earthquakes on a global scale will trigger massive volcanic eruptions. In Israel, volcanic eruptions will produce a deadly flow of molten lava that will kill some of the armies of the Antichrist. Zechariah gives a graphic description of their bodies melting away. It is a perfect illustration of what happens when human flesh comes in contact with liquid magma at more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The covenant that Isaiah mentions also describes a time of difficulty in Israel, when the Lord brings about “a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth” (verse 22). This confirms that it is the same covenant as the one confirm by the Antichrist. There is only one future period of time that speaks of divine destruction that will come upon the entire earth. That will happen during the Day of the Lord – the Tribulation Period. The Scriptures repeatedly refer to the complete global destruction that will encompass the entire world during the Tribulation Period.
The Particulars of this Covenant
Isaiah tells us five things about the covenant of the Antichrist. First, it will include a secular, non-religious, Jewish leadership in Jerusalem (verse 14-15). It is amazing that Israel is currently experiencing the same political upheaval, much like what is occurring in America. Israel is being led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (this name means “gift from God”). He has attempted to lead Israel by navigating his way through the various religious factions in Israel within in his government. Netanyahu continues to refer to Israel’s Biblical right to the Jewish land. His political opponents have vowed to not allow any religious parties in their government. They are very liberal and some have socialist aspirations. Like America, Israel is involved in a political struggle between the right and the left for the future control of the country. At some point, the political left in Israel will win control and lead the nation into the waiting arms of the Antichrist and his false covenant.
God warns Israel in this text that they will adopt a covenant with a partner that is full of deceit and lies, while deviously plotting the destruction of Israel (verses 15, 18). This is a perfect description of the character and actions of the Palestinian leadership, as well as many of Israel’s enemies.
Isaiah also adds that the secular and godless leadership will adopt a peace treaty with the Antichrist, who will divide the land of Israel. These leaders in Israel will be opposed in by religious Israeli Jews who are focused on God’s promises (verse 16). Today, there are many Messianic Jews who are opposed to giving away any of the Promised Land to create a Palestinian state. They clearly see through all of the lies and false promises and know that the Palestinians want all of the land of Israel. They know that peace with the Palestinians is impossible. These Messianic Jews openly reject the idea of a two-state solution. They are calling for the Israeli government to immediately annex the West Bank. They recognize that this is Biblical Judea and Samaria and that it all belongs to Israel. This is at the heart of their Messianic hope mentioned in verse 16.
In a very descriptive way, Isaiah mentions that this covenant with the enemies of Israel will result in increased terrorism (verses 19-20). This is exactly what Israel has experienced in the last 40 years. Every time Israel makes concessions to bring about peace, it has experienced an uprising in terrorism and rumors of war. Citizens of Israel face this reality on a daily basis. Notice that Isaiah describes this by saying that each day will begin and end with a threat of terror in Israel. In verse 20 he uses the illustration of a person lying in bed. This is likened unto a nation that enters into a covenant, thinking that it may rest from the threats of war and terror. In Isaiah’s illustration, that rest never comes because of the complications brought about by the ongoing daily reports of terror and threats war. This perfectly describes life in Israel today and it will continue until the Lord Jesus comes to their rescue at Armageddon.
Finally, this failed covenant will lead to Armageddon (verses 17- 18). Isaiah tells us that the godless leadership in Jerusalem will enter into this covenant to avoid a major war (verse 15). However, their covenant fails and Israel will be faced with the flood of the armies of the world coming against them at Armageddon (Zechariah 14:2; Revelation 16:12-16).
After Armageddon, the Lord will establish His kingdom of peace upon this earth. His people will be free from terror, wars, and rumors of wars. God has promised His people, “Violence shall no more be heard in thy land” (Isaiah 60:18).
I long for peace in our world. I hate war, violence, and terror. I love the Jews, the Arab people and the Palestinians. I want what is best for all of them. What is best for them is to not be at war with God. If they fight over the land of Israel, they are bringing themselves into conflict with God. God gave the Arabs far more land than He gave to the Jews. However, the Arabs are not content with what God has given them.
There is coming a time during the millennial kingdom when the Arabs will accept Israel and honor them as God’s chosen people. They will also recognize that Jerusalem and the Holy Land belong to the Jewish people. Read the amazing text of Isaiah 60. In this chapter Isaiah prophetically writes about how the former Arab/Islamic enemies of Israel will love and honor the Jewish people during the time of the kingdom. Isaiah 60:14 says, “The sons also of them that afflicted thee [mentioned in verses 6-7] shall come bending unto thee: and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”
According to several prophetic texts, at the beginning of the kingdom the Lord will give Israel all of the land that He originally promised them, from the great river of Egypt to the Euphrates. See the map below.
When Israel receives her full promise of all the land, it will be 574,175 square miles of territory. The details of this land division are given in Ezekiel 45:1-8 and 47:13-20. Today, Israel only possesses 10,175 square miles, which is only 1.7 percent of all the land it will possess during the millennium kingdom.
I long for peace in the Middle East. Too many innocent people have been killed in the war that is being waged against Israel by the powers of hell. We are commanded to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). When we pray for this, we are praying for Jesus to come and bring His kingdom of peace to this earth, and especially the Middle East.
The history of this planet since the fall of man proves that there is no peace outside of a personal relationship with the God of the Bible. Only Jesus can give you real peace. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Friend, if you have conflict in your life, only Jesus can give you inner peace in the midst of the storms of life. Some day we will live with Him. Then all of our conflict will be over. Come to Jesus for salvation and peace.
Keep listening for the shout that will take us out!