In the first three and a half years after the seven-year treaty, Israel will have a functioning temple and a deceptive period of relative peace and safety under the Antichrist, but it will also experience the Russian invasion and the beginning of God's judgments.
Les Feldick teaches that the Antichrist will sign a seven-year treaty with Israel, promising peace and prosperity, guaranteeing borders, and granting permission for temple worship. During the first half, Israel will rebuild and use the temple for worship and will be so impressed by the Antichrist that many begin to wonder if he is the Messiah. Yet this is not a trouble-free time: a great Russian invasion comes shortly after the treaty, causing famine and pestilence. At the midpoint, the Antichrist turns on Israel, stops the sacrifices, and defiles the temple.
Daniel 9:27 — Describes the seven-year covenant and the midpoint cessation of sacrifice, showing that temple worship is operating during the first half of the week.
Revelation 6:4 — The red horse that takes peace from the earth is the verse Les connects with the Russian invasion that comes early in the seven years.
Daniel 9:27 frames the entire seven-year period. The Bible says a prince will confirm a covenant with many for one week, and in the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease and will make the temple desolate. This means that during the first half of that week, temple sacrifice and oblation are operating. Jesus' words in Matthew 24:7-8 also describe famines, pestilences, and earthquakes as 'the beginning of sorrows,' showing that the early part of this time includes calamities, not uninterrupted peace. Revelation 6:4 describes a red horse whose rider is given power to take peace from the earth — the passage Les associates with the north-of-Israel invasion.
Les Feldick teaches that the first three and a half years are a deceptive period. The Antichrist signs the seven-year treaty with Israel, promising peace, prosperity, and safety from their neighbors, and giving Israel permission for temple worship. Israel rebuilds the temple, and the temple is operating by the midpoint, with sacrifices being offered. During this same period, however, Les also sees a great Russian invasion of Israel — which he equates with the red horse of Revelation 6 and the Gog and Magog invasion of Ezekiel 38 — followed by famine, pestilence, and earthquakes. He summarizes it as 'relative peace and safety' rather than absolute peace. Israel will be so awed by the Antichrist's protection that many will wonder whether he is the true Messiah. At the midpoint, the Antichrist turns on Israel, enters the temple, stops the sacrifice and oblation, and forces Israel to worship him.
Yes. Les teaches that in order for the temple worship to stop at the midpoint, it has to be in operation. Israel will rebuild the temple, and it will be operating by the midpoint of the seven years. The Antichrist will give Israel permission for temple worship when he signs the treaty. Clip 7 also shows that Israel has everything ready — priests, utensils — and the temple will be operating before the midpoint.
Les says the Russian invasion comes shortly after the seven-year treaty is signed. He equates it with the red horse of Revelation 6 and with the Gog and Magog forces of Ezekiel 38. The invasion precipitates a collapse of the food supply, which leads to famine — the black horse of Revelation 6 — as well as pestilence. He calls these the beginning days of the tribulation.
No. Les says the treaty gives Israel relative peace and safety, but it is not a period of peace and prosperity. Famine, pestilence, and earthquakes happen during this time, and the Russian invasion interrupts any sense of security. It is literally the 'beginning of sorrows' spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24.
At the midpoint, the Antichrist turns on the nation of Israel. He goes into the temple and causes the sacrifice and oblation to cease, making the temple desolate. He shuts down temple worship and forces Israel to worship him as their Messiah/God. Les compares this to the way Israel's temple religion had become lifeless during Christ's earthly ministry.
Midpoint Temple Desecration
Les explains that at the midpoint the Antichrist stops the sacrifice and oblation, making the temple desolate — a temple Israel had built and used for worship in the first half.
Judgments in the First Half
Les says the first half is not three and a half years of peace and prosperity; it includes a Russian invasion, famine, pestilence, and earthquakes until the midpoint.
Red Horse / Russian Invasion
Les equates the red horse of Revelation 6 with the Russian/Gog-Magog invasion and says it comes shortly after the seven-year treaty is signed.
Temple Rebuilt and Permission Given
Les says Israel will rebuild the temple and that the Antichrist's treaty grants permission for temple worship with promises of peace, prosperity, and guaranteed borders.
Israel's First-Half Experience
Les teaches that during the first three and a half years Israel enjoys the Antichrist's protection and begins to wonder whether he is the real Messiah.
Seven-Year Clock Restarted
Les explains that signing the seven-year treaty restarts God's prophetic time clock and that the seven years unfold literally, with the midpoint stopping temple worship.
Relative Peace and Northern Invasion
Les says the treaty gives Israel relative peace and safety, but then a great invasion from the north triggers famine and pestilence.
Temple Operating Before the Midpoint
Les shows that Israel is prepared with priestly utensils and the temple will be operating before the midpoint, when the Antichrist sets himself up as God.
Daniel 9:27: 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.
This is the foundational verse for the seven-year treaty and the midpoint desecration of the temple.
Matthew 24:7-8: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Jesus describes the wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes that mark the beginning of the tribulation period.
Revelation 6:4: And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
The red horse is the passage Les connects with the Russian invasion that takes peace from the earth early in the seven years.
Yes. Les teaches that in order for temple worship to stop at the midpoint, it has to be in operation. Israel will rebuild the temple, and the Antichrist will give permission for temple worship as part of the seven-year treaty.
Not a true peace. Les says Israel will have relative peace and safety under the Antichrist, but a Russian invasion, famine, pestilence, and earthquakes also occur. Jesus called these 'the beginning of sorrows.'
Les equates the red horse with a great Russian invasion of Israel — the Gog and Magog forces of Ezekiel 38 — that comes shortly after the seven-year treaty is signed.
The Antichrist turns on Israel, goes into the temple, stops the sacrifice and oblation, and makes the temple desolate. He forces Israel to worship him rather than the God of Israel.
Watch the Teaching: When Will the Tribulation Begin? The 70th Week of Daniel