Peace in the Middle East?

On September 15, 2020 President Donald Trump presided over the signing of historic agreements between Israel and two Gulf Arab nations, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. This has been called by media pundits, “The Abraham Accord.” But what exactly does it mean?  

According to Dr. David Regan, founder of Lamb and Lion Ministries, “The Abraham Accord is not a peace agreement. Israel has never been at war with either one of these two states, so therefore, technically the accord should be considered a normalization agreement. What this amounts to is if these states would recognize the legitimate existence of Israel then Israel would gain complete relations with them such as trade relations, tourist relations, and also opening Israel to trading technology with these two states.”[1]    

Neither of these states share a common border with Israel, and both are small in size and population. They are no threat to Israel and they never have been, unlike other nations such as Iran, Turkey, Syria and Lebanon who have sworn to see Israel wiped off the map.

However, many experts believe this accord could open the door for other nations in the Middle East to start recognizing Israel’s national sovereignty and open-up friendly relations. In fact, some seven or so other countries such as Kosovo and possibly Saudi Arabia have indicated that they are changing their mindset towards Israel.

Amir Tsarfati, author and founder of Behold Israel, stated, “These Trump-negotiated deals are making Israel stronger in the Middle East. The Arabs are treating Israel less like an illegitimate state. We (Israel) are no longer the red-headed stepchild. Israel is being considered a fair player in the Middle East. The Arab countries are seeing the benefits of siding with Israel.”[2]

One question on the minds of many is “How does the ‘Abraham Accord’ set the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled?” First, we should note that the Bible does predict that the Antichrist will confirm a 7-year peace treaty between Israel and many nations allowing the Jewish people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (Dan. 9:27). That peace agreement will touch-off the dreaded Tribulation period—a time when the Antichrist will rule the world and God will unleash unparalleled wrath and judgment. We can say confidently that the “Abraham Accord” is not the peace that Daniel prophesied because 1) the Antichrist has not been revealed and 2) Israel has no temple and 3) Israel’s major enemies (like Iran) are not seeking peace and 4) even though 2020 has been a terrible year, we aren’t in the Tribulation.

What is more likely is that the “Abraham Accord” may have a connection to another end-time event predicted by Ezekiel 38-39, known as the “Invasion of Gog and Magog.” Ezekiel’s prophecy says that a coalition of several nations, including Iran, Turkey, Libya, Ethiopia and Russia will attempt to invade Israel to plunder her riches. However, God will miraculously defend Israel and defeat this overpowering army. Prior to this invasion, Ezekiel describes what the conditions will be like for Israel. As the Anti-Semitic enemies plot, they say, “I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates.” (Ez. 38:11).

In other words, the Bible says that Israel will be enjoying a season of peace and safety just before Ezekiel’s war is ignited. This would seem to fit the current scenario we see playing out in the Middle East with more nations promising to sign on with the “Abraham Accord.”  

Tsarfati explains, “I believe it sets the stage for the Ezekiel 38-39 Gog-Magog War. According to Ezekiel 38, Israel must be safe, secure, and prosperous. The Abraham Accord is laying down the peace and safety prerequisite that Israel will be in before the Gog-Magog invasion by Russia, Iran, and Turkey as prophesied.”

One interesting fact about Ezekiel’s war is that the Bible says that in the aftermath of God’s victory that it will take Israel 7 years to clean up the wreckage left behind (Ez. 39:9-10). This seems to suggest that the Gog and Magog invasion will happen sometime before the Tribulation, or at least its beginning. We can only wait to see how it will all play out, but when God does destroy the massive anti-Israel coalition, He will also give a convincing testimony of His power and glory to a watching world. As a result, many may be converted to Christ.

Friends, the puzzle pieces of prophecy are coming together like never before. Signs of the end are converging at a rapid pace. There is only one way to escape the coming storm—Jesus! Do you know him? Today is the day to trust in Him, “and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10).  -DM            

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[1] David Regan, “Prophetic Perspectives #92: Peace in the Middle East?” Christ in Prophecy Journal, 23 September 2020 <https://christinprophecyblog.org/2020/09/prophetic-perspectives-92-peace-in-the-middle-east/>

[2] Amir Tsarfati & Nathan Jones, “Prophetic Perspectives #91: The Abraham Accord,” Christ in Prophecy Journal, 22 September 2020 <https://christinprophecyblog.org/2020/09/prophetic-perspectives-91-the-abraham-accord/>