What does the Antichrist do at the midpoint of the seven-year covenant?
At the midpoint of the seven-year treaty, after three and a half years or 1260 days, he suddenly turns on the Jew and causes the sacrifice and oblation to cease. This halts the sacrificial temple worship Israel had been enjoying under his earlier permission.
Les explains that the Antichrist first signs a seven-year treaty with the Jews and gives Israel permission to have temple worship, so Israel comes back under the law and into sacrifices. Then, at the midpoint, after three and a half years or 1260 days, he suddenly turns on the Jew. The verse says, “In the middle of the week, he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.” Les points out that for something to cease, it first had to start; by the midpoint Israel will have been enjoying sacrificial temple worship with the blessings of the man Antichrist.
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
More Questions
How do we know Israel was offering sacrifices before the Antichrist stops them?
The fact that the sacrifices cease means they must have started, so by the midpoint of the seven years Israel had been enjoying sacrificial temple worship with the Antichrist's blessing.