If it did, is Donald Trump the Anti-Christ?

At first, this title just looks like click bait, but it’s a question that has flashed across the minds of many dispensationalist Christians in the last week.

There are a few things we believe about biblical prophecy that do give us pause.

The Daniel 9 Prophecy.

According to Daniel 9:27, the event that starts the 70th Week of Daniel is the confirmation of a covenant with many. Bible teachers have generally interpreted this to be a Middle Eastern Peace Treaty. J. Dwight Pentecost in the Bible Knowledge Commentary describes the potential fulfillment of this prophecy this way.

A significant event that will mark the beginning of this seven-year period is the confirming of a covenant. This covenant will be made with many, that is, with Daniel’s people, the nation Israel. “The ruler who will come” (Dan. 9:26) will be this covenant-maker, for that person is the antecedent of the word he in verse 27. As a yet-future ruler he will be the final head of the fourth empire (the little horn of the fourth beast, 7:8).

The covenant he will make will evidently be a peace covenant, in which he will guarantee Israel’s safety in the land. This suggests that Israel will be in her land but will be unable to defend herself for she will have lost any support she may have had previously. Therefore she will need and welcome the peacemaking role of this head of the confederation of 10 European (Roman) nations. In offering this covenant, this ruler will pose as a prince of peace, and Israel will accept his authority.

I tend to agree with Pentecost’s understanding of the prophecy and its fulfillment. However, prophecies don’t always turn out exactly how we think they will. There is always an element of speculation concerning their fulfillment. Bible prophecy will always be fulfilled — but sometimes the reality is slightly different than the expectation. …

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