In the wake of the election of President Trump, the astounding movement toward peace that we are seeing on multiple fronts is nothing short of amazing. Peace seems to be in the air. Even as Donald Trump holds the position of president-elect, peace overtures are pouring in all over the world. The momentum for peace across our globe is not only stunning, it is prophetically significant.
As the world awaits the inauguration of President Trump on January 20th, world leaders seem to be lining up to make peace. An article in the Wall Street Journal was emblazed with the headline, “Zelensky Signals He’s Open to Negotiating a Peace Deal.” The subheading further underscores the dramatic shift in Zelensky’s position, which occurred out of nowhere after President Trump was elected, stating that the “Ukrainian president indicate[d] he would accept a ceasefire with Russia if his country obtains NATO membership.”
Suddenly, there is talk of peace in Russia as well. Earlier this month, Newsweek published a piece entitled “What Putin Seeks to Gain From Donald Trump in Ukraine Peace Deal.” Both sides are now setting forth their case for conditions they would put forward in expected upcoming peace negotiations.
Late last month, Hezbollah and Israel suddenly negotiated a 60-day ceasefire, which is now in place. While this occurred during the Biden administration, it was done clearly in view of President Trump being inaugurated on January 20th. Trump had issued calls for a peace agreement to be in place before he enters the Oval Office.
Days after President Trump’s reelection, Time Magazine published the article “Donald Trump’s Return Could Bring a More Peaceful Middle East,” highlighting three essential elements that could make Middle East peace possible.
The first point addressed in the article is that President Trump will “choke Iranian revenues and funding of regional terrorist groups through the long overdue re-enforcement of oil sanctions.” The second details how President Trump would “stop Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon, which is the gravest long-term regional security threat facing the Mideast.” The third element points to Trump’s desired expansion of the Abraham Accords, which they say will “build a strong coalition of allies to counter the Axis of Evil and facilitate a better life for the Palestinian people.”
“A new dawn and a new era of peace and prosperity could be on the horizon in the Middle East with Trump’s return,” the article concluded.
Another report by Newsweek published on December 2nd was titled “Donald Trump Warns of ‘Hell to Pay’ Amid Middle East Hostage Crisis.”
“President-elect Donald Trump issued a stark warning Monday over the ongoing hostage crisis in Gaza, as regional tensions escalated with the first reported Hezbollah attack since implementation of a ceasefire along Israel’s northern border,” the author detailed. “In a message posted to his Truth Social platform, Trump demanded immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, warning of unprecedented retaliation if the order goes unheeded by his inauguration date of January 20th.”
President Trump’s statement on Truth Social urged: “Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!”
All of this shows how rapidly peace deals can be hammered out when there is strong leadership in charge.
Let me be clear: I am not saying that the President-elect is the anti-Christ. In fact, based on Scripture, I can say with certainty that he is not.
The Holy Spirit, who is the Restrainer, must be taken out of the wayโwhich occurs with the Rapture of the Churchโbefore the anti-Christ can be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:7). For that reason, I have often said in a tongue-in-cheek manner: “If you ever do figure out who the anti-Christ is, I have bad news for you… you have been left behind!”
Furthermore, Daniel 9:26 tells us that the anti-Christ will come out of a reunited Roman Empireโfrom the people who destroyed the Jewish Temple in 70 AD. This doesn’t necessarily suggest that the anti-Christ will be Roman/Italian; rather, it is saying that he will come from the confines of the old Roman Empire.
The anti-Christ, who is referred to as the “Little Horn” in Daniel 7, rises from insignificance to power. Daniel 11 also says that the anti-Christ will be an incredibly smooth-talking individual who comes to power through flatteryโI think we can all agree that President Trump is not what one would consider to be a “flatterer.”
While I do not believe that Trump is the anti-Christ, I do believe that all of this movement toward peace is a preview.
The anti-Christ will be totally inspired, directed, and empowered by Satan. He will be the ultimate strong man who will force his agenda on the world and emerge on the global scene as a great peacemaker.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, the Apostle Paul writes: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord [the Tribulation period] so cometh as a thief in the night. 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.” (emphasis added)
In Revelations 6:1-2, the first seal is opened, and there emerges a rider on the white horse, who I believe is describing the Anti-Christ: “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.”
This “white horse” showcases him to be a counterfeit Christ, as Jesus rides forth on a white horse in Revelations 19 at His return. The anti-Christ will bring temporary peace on the earth. It is often noted that he rides with a bow but no arrows and is “given” a crown. He arises as a conqueror, but it appears to be a bloodless conquest by diplomacy. I say that because the next rider, who appears on a red horse, comes to take peace from the earth. You can’t take peace from the earth unless there is already peace.
Daniel 9:27, referring to the Antichrist, says that he will make a firm covenant, or “confirm a covenant with many,” for one set of seven years. The Antichrist will come onto the world scene and make a seven-year treaty with Israel to solve the Middle East crisis. It could be that the Antichrist will build upon what is currently being accomplished in the Middle Eastโhe could confirm or strengthen agreements that already exist or will exist in the not-too-distant future. The groundwork is seemingly being laid, and the structure is in place.
This also could be a forced covenant, kind of like what President Trump right now is doing with Hamas in telling them that there will be “hell to pay” if the hostages are not returned. Due to the power that he will wield, the Antichrist may begin to issue threats and warnings to bring people to the peace table. It will all be a satanically inspired power.
Whether it is by confirming agreements that already exist or compelling action, what we see transpiring today is a striking foreshadow of what’s coming.
The peace treaty the Antichrist brokers with Israel is going to be the event that commences the Tribulation. The early days of the Tribulation will be a brief season of peace. What we see today is a preview of how quickly this can happen with a strong leader on the sceneโand the Antichrist will be the ultimate strong leader.
After the Rapture, the world’s going to be in confusion and turmoil. They are going to be looking for a man to bring order out of the chaos. The Antichrist will appear to be the answer to all the world’s problems. He will be “the man with a plan.”
As we see the stage being set for the coming peace before our eyes, it means the Rapture is even closer. As we head into this Christmas season, looking back to the first coming of our Savior, let us all make sure that we’re also looking ahead to His return and living lives that are pleasing to Him as we await His coming.
