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“The War” of Daniel 9:26 –
its connection to the “Oracle of Damascus” -
the next war in the Middle East.

February, 2008 – A Series of Correspondence – Between R.F. of Wisconsin and Doug Krieger

(Edited for confidentiality…)

Thanks Doug.

I suggest that we proceed with the Damascus piece that I already have underway. All we need to do is conference via Skype (as you suggested) to sort out the eschatology.

This particular piece is targeted at that important time period that leads to the 70th Week.  As you very well know, the scriptures are not silent on this stuff. However, I have (as yet) been unable to properly fit Hamas, Hezbollah & the PA into the scriptures. I need some help. Probably easy for you.

We need a simple script, if you will. Nothing fancy. I can tell the story with the video (the flash imagery). The script needs to link the prophetic scriptures to the modern day terrorist groups. The video will end in a terrifying crescendo:  The oracle of Damascus.  An event that will forever change the world.

All I need is the facts (as best we can discern them). Once I have this info, I can finish the flash video.

Can't wait to get your son's CD. We listen to a lot of music around our house. I have iTunes set up to play wirelessly throughout the house. I'd like to add your son's CD to our Sunday morning play list.

"We" can do this.

Reply by Doug:

Dear R.F. –

YES to all - today, however, for me is an anti-Skype day - the radio broadcast in Las Vegas (2 hrs. with R. R. as moderator) and working on my son’s band (man, am I ever committed to that enterprise!) - but after we recover from all this and while I still have time - allow me to help clarify the ORACLE or BURDEN of Damascus and the poignant prophetic role it shall play in the lead up to the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel and the panoply of prophetic fulfillment thereafter.

First of all, it is imperative that we seize upon Daniel 9 (once again) in this respect--at issue is the complete separation of the first 69 weeks from the 70th Week - I have covered this matter extensively throughout my writings and WHY it is absolutely imperative that this week is excluded from the first 69 - and, to the contrary, how deviant denominational and so-called Christian cultic efforts have sought to undermine its separation by uniting the entire 70 Weeks into a seamless and, I hasten to add, serpentine chronology wherein "Jesus Christ does the Work of Antichrist" (see a plethora of my articles on that one salient topic).

If there were any topic which has wrought more confusion than the separation of these 69 weeks from the 70th Week it is this one!

Now we have the likes of certain Christian Zionists like John Hagee (who should know better) saying that Jesus did not come to the Jews (for salvation) as their Messiah the first time and that Jesus' first coming was to the Gentiles only--he does not acknowledge--except under severe doctrinal scrutiny from his fellow evangelicals that "Until Messiah the Prince" (Dan. 9:25) was/is addressed to the Jewish people (PRIMARILY) - "Seventy weeks are determined for YOUR PEOPLE and for YOUR HOLY CITY" (Dan. 9:24); therefore, "Until Messiah the Prince" was for YOUR PEOPLE and for YOUR HOLY CITY"  - "and after the sixty-two weeks (for a seamless total of 69 weeks - from the decree under Artaxerxes to rebuild and to restore the city of Jerusalem in 445 B.C. to 396 B.C. there was 49 years or 7 weeks and from 397 B.C. until 33 A.D. there was another 434 years or 62 weeks for a total of 69 weeks).

It is AFTER the total 69 weeks (after the second segment, the sixty-two weeks) that MESSIAH SHALL BE CUT OFF (i.e., crucified) - indeed Jesus was cut off precisely 4 days after His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on March 30, 33 A.D. and was crucified on Passover Eve on April 3, 33 A.D.  I believe these are the precise calculations/chronologies, but you can review them in my writings.

This four-day INSPECTION or examination of the Lamb of God was in accordance with the Mosaic Law regarding the Passover lamb in the Torah.

Now, we must come to terms with what follows AFTER the crucifixion of Jesus - "the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary" - (Daniel 9:26) - Because this passage is SEQUENTIAL in its syntactical presentation - i.e., Until Messiah the Prince takes place on the final day of the 69th Week; Messiah shall be cut off takes place 4 days later; and, then the PEOPLE of the prince (NOTE:  The "prince who is to come" - but NOT necessarily at the time his PEOPLE destroy Jerusalem.)

I do not whole-heartedly embrace this seamless chronology right here because the overall thrust of Daniel places the destruction of a yet future Jerusalem and the destruction of the future sanctuary, along "with a flood" - this is clearly spoken of in Daniel 11:22:  "With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant" - this taking place, however, PRIOR to "and after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people, etc." (Daniel 11:23).  Again, however, this "flood" is mentioned in Revelation 12:15-16:  "So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.  But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.  And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (or "testimony of Jesus").

This is of critical importance because this "flood" of Rev. 12 connects the dots wherein the serpent-dragon climaxes his persecution of the "seed of the woman" (see Rev. 12:13-14) when he is so manifested at the middle of the 70th Week and persecutes both Israel and the Church for "times and time and half a time."  Therefore, the "protection from the flood" of such persecution occurs on behalf of the "Woman in the wilderness" during this time frame--i.e., the latter half of Daniel's 70th Week and this concurs with the same chronologies of Daniel 12:4-7 in reference to "Jacob's trouble" (Daniel 12:1a).

That said, however, about the "flood" - does not mean that we speak of an earlier flood and a latter day's flood relative to the destruction of the sanctuary in Jerusalem - the first in 70A.D. under the Roman Legions commanded by Titus and the latter of the actual PRINCE WHO IS TO COME who will (as well) destroy the city and the sanctuary in the midst of the 70th Week of Daniel, yet future; whereas, the former flood bespeaks of that persecution and Diaspora of the Jews from the initial destruction of Jerusalem and its sanctuary in 70 A.D. up through (and this is what is exceedingly important in reference to the ORACLE OF DAMASCUS) the conclusion of THE WAR - for we read:

"The people - of the prince who is to come - shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.  THE END OF IT (and I believe the "it" here most probably bespeaks of the persistent Gentile antagonisms towards the Jews of the Diaspora - the "flood" pursuing them throughout their wanderings until its end - for "And till the end of the war desolations are determined."  (Dan. 9:27) -

Then, immediately, vs. 27 commences after this aforesaid war:

"THEN he (and be it ever so clear here that the antecedent of this "he" is not Jesus, the Anointed One, the Messiah of Israel, who was introduced to the Jews as "Messiah the Prince" and who as Messiah was "cut off" shortly thereafter in vs. 26 but this "he" refers to "the prince who is to come" of the same people who "destroy the city and the sanctuary") shall confirm a covenant with many for one week but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.  And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined is poured out on the desolater" (vs. 27 in toto).

ON THE OTHER HAND -

We simply cannot adequately conclude that this "end of the war" pertains exclusively to the tribulations of the Jews throughout their immediate regathering as National Israel in their homeland--although I do believe it does AS WELL!  This WAR is not only the immediate Arab-Israeli Conflict which has had 6 (six) major stages according to Israel's current President, Shimon Peres, and awaits the final  phase of both the Arab-Israeli Conflict, as well as the third and final phase of the Syrophoenicia War (which is our immediate discussion) BUT, this "war" could, as well, project itself into the very 70th Week of Daniel and beyond until the finality of the "desolations" which are so clearly detailed in Daniel 8:13-14; 7:7-14, 23-27; 8:23-26; 11:20-45; 12:11 (specifically) but the entirety of Daniel 12--all these Scriptures bespeak of the desolations against Israel, the city and the sanctuary both then but most specifically at the "end of the days."

Therefore, when we read in Daniel 9:26 "until the end of the war desolations are determined" we must see an immediate but prophetic fulfillment JUST PRIOR TO THE SIGNING OF THE TREATY BETWEEN ISRAEL AND ANTICHRIST, as well as the totality of "the war desolations are determined" which shall extend unto the 1,290th Day (Dan. 12:11 and 8:13-14 in particular) at which conclusion the KINGDOM OF THIS WORLD HAS NOW BECOME THE KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND OF HIS MESSIAH!

It is unavoidable to exclude the two-fold fulfillment of the passages because the "end of the war" bears significant immediacy just prior to "THEN he shall confirm a covenant with many (i.e., the majority of National Israel) for one week--i.e., the 70th Week of Daniel - and "in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.  And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, EVEN UNTIL THE CONSUMMATION, which is determined, is poured out on he desolater" - and this will be at the conclusion of the 1,290th day and the coming of the Messiah!

ALL THIS TO SAY - this double and yet prophetic, yet future, fulfillment of this "war" against the Jews (your people, the holy people - that people set apart to fulfill the purposes of God on this earth before Gentile World Powers, ultimately headed up by the "prince who is to come" - who specifically desires to "destroy the city and the sanctuary" - both past (through his "people" the Roman Legions under Titus) and future (as the very "prince" - the Antichrist-Beast - through his cunning as the Anti-Messiah who signs the "treaty of hell and death" and thereby usurps the title of the "prince of the covenant" (Dan. 11:22) - and as the BEAST in the midst of the 70th Week wherein Antichrist is incarnated by Satan himself as he is cast out of heaven to the earth (Rev. 12:12-13; 11:7; 13:1-10) - this is the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION both for the "desecration" of the human spirit in the body of Antichrist (for as "Satan entered into Judas" - even so, the Man of Sin shall become through him who "sits in the temple (of man) declaring that he is God"); as well as the "desecration/desolation" of the very literal temple awaiting its restoration by National Israel, as we have clearly presented in our text:  ISRAEL'S TEMPLE SACRIFICE AND THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION--thus, the spiritual and physical realms are under total assault.

So . . . let us examine your immediate concerns within the context of this backdrop--and do not forgive me for setting this "scene" because it is mandatory regarding "the war" or immediate fulfillment of this prophecy as so outlined.

In this context we must compare other "Messianic texts" which revolve around National Israel's regathering to her land and the implications of "the flood" and "desolations" and "the war" which pursue her.

This brings us to both Zechariah and to Isaiah whose adumbrative language fits into our chronology with amazing prophetic pertinence.

Specifically:

Isaiah 17: 

The burden against Damascus.

"Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap.  The cities of Aroer (this MAY present a problem in that Aroer--unless you can ascertain her immediacy in Southern Lebanon--for virtually all allusions pertain to modern-day Jordan--Numbers 32:34; Deut. 2:36 - or in the Valley of Jabbok - see Strong's on AROER - Josh. 13:25; 2Sa. 24:5 - I recall you have some additional information on this in that its connection to Damascus brings it much further north than central Jordan near the Jordan River and modern-day Amman, Jordan) are forsaken; they will be for flocks which lie down, and no one will make them afraid.  The fortress also will cease from Ephraim (this, I believe, bespeaks of the "hill country" north of modern-day Israel in "Samaria" or "Ephraim" as your research confirmed that Ramallah sits on the present border of the ancient boundary of the Tribe of Ephraim and Benjamin and specifically confirms the Palestinian Authority of today's "moderates" among the Palestinians and of Abu Abbas as their President), the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria; they will be as the glory of the children of Israel," says the LORD of hosts.

"In that day it shall come to pass that the glory of Jacob will wane (this final phase of "the war" brings secular Zionism to its knees - exhausts National Israel in the conflict/war), and the fatness of his flesh grow lean.  It shall be as when the harvester gathers the grain, and reaps the heads with his arm; it shall be as he who gathers heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim (Syria).  Yet gleaning grapes will be left in it, like the shaking of an olive tree, two or three olives at the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in its most fruitful branches," Says the Lord God of Israel (Note:  Some "strength" shall be left) - THEN REVIVAL BREAKS OUT AMONG THE ARABS and the JEWS ARE PREPARED FOR MESSIAH'S COMING as a result of the conflict!!

"In that day a man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel.  He will not look to the altars, the work of his hands; he will not respect what his fingers have made, nor the wooden images nor the incense altars.  In that day his strong cities will be as a forsaken bough and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel; and THERE WILL BE DESOLATION (my emphasis).  Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation (this is a clear prediction of the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION and of these continuing desolations until the 1,290th Day), and have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, therefore you will plant pleasant plants and set out foreign seedlings; in the day you will make your plant to grow, and in the morning you will make your seed to flourish; but the harvest will be a heap of ruins in the day of grief and desperate sorrow" (again, Jacob's Trouble and the final 3.5 yrs. of the 70th Week is in view) (Isaiah 17:1-14) -

Now, Isaiah 17:12-14 - speaks of "the multitude of many people who make a noise like the roar of the seas, and to the rushing of nations that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!" (Isa. 17:12) - National Israel shall become the focus of the nations as a result of this "the end of the war" - and so will lead us to Isaiah 18 wherein the United States of America ("the land shadowed with buzzing wings, which is BEYOND the rivers of Ethiopia, which sends ambassadors by sea (as a pretense for YOUR TREATY WITH HELL AND DEATH - thus, Antichrist makes his move after "the war") sends her ambassadors - "Go, swift messengers, to a nation (Yes, send for help from this nation!) tall and smooth of skin, to a people TERRIBLE FROM THEIR BEGINNING ONWARD, a NATION POWERFUL AND TREADING DOWN (my emphasis), whose land the rivers divide" - and this is no small happening for this is a nation whose WORLD IMPACT is altogether obvious on that day - for we read:

"All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth:  when he (THIS AFORESAID NATION) lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it; and when he blows a trumpet, you hear it.  For so the LORD said to me, "I will take My rest, and I will look for My dwelling place like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heart of harvest."  For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, He will both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks and take away and cut down the branches.  They will be left together for the mountain birds of prey and for the beasts of the earth; the birds of prey will summer on them, and all the beasts of the earth will winter on them" (Note:  Is this not an allusion of His coming judgment upon that nation?) - for we read:

"In that time a present will be brought to the LORD of hosts from a people tall and smooth of skin, and from a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide--to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, to Mount Zion." (the full reading of Isaiah 18) -

For - that same nation which would engage the nations of the world under the banner of the Antichrist after "the war" shall enforce the "peace" but He shall have the "last laugh" and ultimately that same nation shall be used of the Lord to do His bidding in the preparation of National Israel for Messiah's coming!

Now - we turn from Syria/Damascus - the PA/Stronghold of Ephraim and allusions to (perhaps) the land east of the Jordan River and perhaps to modern-day Jordan whose conspiracies are forever ambivalent - wafting between siding with Syria and then with the PLO, etc. - to the portions of Scripture in Zechariah 9.

Zechariah 9 commences the MESSIANIC SCENARIO of the end time and is followed throughout until the conclusion of Zechariah 14 - Zechariah chapters 1-6 initially gives us a complete "stereoscopic view" of the eschatology (My text:  UNSEALING THE END OF DAYS - THE VISIONS AND PROPHECY OF ZECHARIAH speaks to this "view.") - then Zech. 7-8 involves the interior preparation/exposure of National Israel (chapter 7) and the Lord's ultimate plans for Jerusalem, Holy City of the Future - in other words, Zech 8 catapults us  directly into the Messianic Era and then Zech 9 until 14 "works it out" - so, we get a glance what the "end of the story" looks like before we commence on its journey!

And - Zechariah 9 begins with “THE BURDEN OF THE WORD OF THE LORD AGAINST THE LAND OF HADRACH, AND DAMASCUS ITS RESTING PLACE” -

This is altogether significant and MUST BE PLACED in the Messianic Scenario of the end times with that of Isaiah 17-18 in that its immediate judgment commences with Damascus, as does Isaiah 17-18 - that which has NEVER taken place in history!  Yes, notwithstanding all the liberal and Amillenarian claptrap to the contrary!

"For the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the LORD; also against Hamath, which borders on it, and against Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.  For Tyre build(ed) herself a tower, heaped up silver like the dust, and gold like the mire of the streets.  Behold, the Lord will cast her out; He will destroy her power in the sea, and she will be devoured by fire" (Zech 9:1-4).

Now, this not only alludes to Tyre's destruction at the hands of both Babylon and Alexander the Great but, because of its setting/context - to that Latter-Day Tyre and Sidon which borders on Syria - and here we see the power of HEZEBOLLAH of today whose antagonism, like unto Syria, are well-known against Israel.

Next in vs. 5-8 we have HAMAS in view:

"Ashkelon shall see it and fear; GAZA also shall be very sorrowful; and Ekron, for He dried up her expectation.  The king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.  A mixed race shall settle in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.  I will take away the blood from his mouth, and the abominations from between his teeth.  But he who remains, even he shall be for our God (an allusion, once again, of revival AFTER the "end of the war" among the Arabs or mixed multitude), and shall be like a leader in Judah, and Ekron like a Jebusite (i.e., Jebusites near unto Jerusalem).  I will camp around My house because of the army, because of him who passes by and him who returns.  No more shall an oppressor pass through them, for now I have seen with My eyes" - this final comment in vs. 8 alludes to the very end of all of National Israel's struggles and of her Messianic role yet future - for verses 9-10 are MARVELOUS:

vs. 9 bespeaks of Christ's first coming:

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey" - this portion is clearly indicative of Christ's first coming - UNTIL MESSIAH THE PRINCE!  And bespeaks of His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday - 33 A.D. but He was "cut off" -

"I will cutoff the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; the battle bow shall be cut off.  He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth." (Zech 9:10) - This bespeaks of Christ in His SECOND COMING where He comes as Israel's KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS!   Israel will no longer trust in her own might but He will rule and reign from Jerusalem over the nations.

What a glorious presentation is this! 

There you have it - I hope this will help - we can discuss ANY and ALL questions you may have - I will not hesitate to answer in that it is altogether so critically important in these Last Days - may the Lord of Glory, the SON OF JOSEPH and the SON OF DAVID - Until Messiah the Prince, who was CUT OFF for our sins - and the One Who "shall speak peace to the nations - His dominion shall be from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth" - the same One chosen to bring "the prince who is to come" "until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolater" - to end his desolations on that 1,290th Day!!!

Wow!  I'm absolutely blown away by it all - the SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH is unalterable and gloriously disclosed to those who await Him on that final day when the TRUMPET SHALL SOUND AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL BE CAUGHT UP AND WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND SURVIVE SHALL LIKEWISE MEET THEM IN THE CLOUD!

Bless

Bro. Doug

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