The European Neighbourhood Policy
and Daniel 9:27

Although the seven-year European Neighbourhood Policy officially was launched January 1, 2007, technically it commenced during the week of October 17-24, 2006.  This is because, as noted in Part 1, two fundamental regulations for the ENP were dated 17 October 2006 and 24 October 2006.

Now, considering a Hebrew month to be 30 days in length, then 42 months (3½ years) would consist of:

42 months × 30 days/month = 1,260 days.

We know that the second half of the 70th Week will last for 42 months, or 1,260 days (Revelation 11:2b,3, 12:6, 13:5).  (See Are the 1,260 days mentioned in Revelation a reference to the first half or to the second half of the 70th Week?)  As such, it is plausible to surmise that the first half of the 70th Week also will be 42 months, or 1,260 days, in length.

Traditionally, during the week of Passover, various offerings were made in the first and second Jewish temples in Jerusalem, as ordained by God to Moses (Leviticus 23:8a,12,13; Deuteronomy 16:5,6).  A major part of the process included sacrificing animals.  Thus, Passover week would seem to be an optimal  time for there to be a forced termination of sacrifices and offerings in Jerusalem.

Arguably, Jesus will return to earth upon the blowing of the Seventh Trumpet of Revelation 11:15,17, the Great Trumpet of Yom Kippur (Leviticus 25:9; Isaiah 18:3, 27:13; Zechariah 9:14), at the end of the seventh year of the 70th Week.  Yom Kippur is the most solemn Hebrew holy day.  (See How is it that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Hebrew Spring and Fall feasts and holy days?)

Now, on a Hebrew calendar, the first of each new month (also known as Rosh Chodesh), as well as of each new year (Rosh haShanah or Yom Teruah), commences with a new moon.  One reason the moon was created was to “mark off the seasons” (Genesis 1:14; Psalm 104:19).  New moons and full moons have been very significant on God’s calendar of appointed activities (1 Chronicles 23:31; 2 Chronicles 8:13, 31:3; Ezra 3:5; Psalm 81:3; Isaiah 66:23).

Interestingly, there was a new moon between the dates of two fundamental regulations relating to the European Neighbourhood Policy: 17 October 2006 and 24 October 2006.  These are the dates on which both the funding and establishing of the ENP took place, and a new moon occurred on October 22, 2006.  The 70th Week, beginning with a new moon, may be the most critical “season” on Israel’s prophetic timetable.

If a Hebrew month is considered to be 30 days in length, then 84 months (7 years) would consist of:

84 months × 30 days/month = 2,520 days.

From information in the Passover Week 2010 and Yom Kippur 2013 sections, let us consider the date October 22, 2006 (a new moon) to be day #1.  If we count forward from this date, then day #1,260 day is April 3, 2010; and day #1 of the next 1,260-day period is April 4, 2010.  The midpoint of my proposed 70th Week period will be midnight, between these two dates (which actually will be on April 4, since a Hebrew day begins at sunset).  Interestingly, Jesus indicated that the Bridegroom—Jesus Himself—will come at “midnight” (Matthew 25:6).

Now, April 4, 2010, has significance on both the Hebrew and Christian calendars.  Not only is this date the Feast of Firstfruits and the day after the weekly Jewish Sabbath (see Leviticus 23:11b), it also is Resurrection Day (Easter Sunday)—celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death.  That particular weekend very well may be a critical—even perilous—turning point for most Israelites and Christians, not only in Israel but worldwide.

Referring directly to the abomination that causes desolation of Daniel 9:27, Jesus exhorted those in Judea, in the distant future (relative to His time), to flee when they saw it (Matthew 24:15,16).  We know that this will be in the middle of the 70th Week, since John also referred to this fleeing Jewish/Israeli remnant, noting that they would be cared for by God for 1,260 days (Revelation 12:6)—the final half of the 70th Week.

Jesus also said this:

Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath (Matthew 24:20).

If so, the flight of those escaping Jerusalem would not be on the last day of the week, Saturday the Sabbath (according to Jesus’ wise counsel in Matthew 24:20), enabling them to obey Leviticus 23:3.  Instead, their flight would be the next day, the first day of the week.  Hopefully, the weather will not be inclement on that Sunday, the first day of the week.

Feasibly, then (understanding, of course, the speculative nature of this calculation), 4 April 2010—the Hebrew Feast of Firstfruits, as well as the Christian celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection—might be a prophetically significant date for Jews and Christians, and indeed for the entire world.  Although the weather might be favorable, it also could be a day of terror, especially if the Antichrist does the following (although some of the events may occur an indeterminate amount of time later):

• walks into into a “holy place” (whether a temple, a shrine, or another structure) in Jerusalem,
• puts an end to sacrifice and offering,
• sets up the abomination that causes desolation (Matthew 24:15,16: Daniel 9:27),
• proclaims himself to be God or a god (2 Thessalonians 2:4), as well as:
  • blasphemes God (since the claim of anyone, other than Jesus, to be God automatically blasphemes Him),
  • slanders God’s name,
  • begins to exercise his authority for 42 months (3½ years) “over every tribe, people, language and nation,” and
  • embarks on making war against Jews and Christians and conquering them (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:17, 13:5-7).

Furthermore, it is possible that on or around April 4, 2010—the Feast of Firstfruits—a partial Mid-tribulation Rapture of “firstfruits” believers could take place (see also Is it possible that Jesus' parable about the ten virgins could indicate that there will be a Mid-tribulation Rapture?).  Then the Great Tribulation will begin.

Many believe it is plausible and reasonable to suppose that, with the activation of the ENP, the 70th Week has begun.  If so, we now are in the final seven-year period of this age, prior to the return of Jesus the Messiah (Christ) back to earth, as the Rider on a white horse.

If true, the world is in store for the greatest social upheavals and natural catastrophes, followed by the most intense supernatural disasters, ever to occur in the history of mankind.  At the end of the seven-year period, Jesus will return to rule and reign for a period of 1,000 years: the Millennium.

My opinions about the ENP, and about whether or not we presently could be in the 70th Week, can be found in some of my email responses.  Two of them are here:

• How can the European Neighbourhood Policy be the Daniel 9:27 covenant, if the latter is a "peace treaty"?
• Is it possible that the 70th Week already has begun?
  

I think that many who put credence in the 70th Week prophecy of Daniel 9:27 share a common supposition that “really bad things” will happen right from the onset of the 70th Week.  They—especially those who embrace the “Pre-tribulation” view of the Rapture—are extremely reluctant to accept that the 70th Week already could have begun, via the European Neighbourhood Policy.

Unlike many (or maybe most) Christians, though, I feel it is quite reasonable and plausible to consider that the 70th Week has begun.  The stipulations and timing of the seven-year European Neighbourhood Policy, concerning the prophecy in Daniel 9:27 and in conjunction with Israel’s involvement, seem to be extremely compelling.

For some time, I have felt that the “Intensity of Troubles” (designated by the vertical axis in my “Graph of the 70th Week”) would increase only gradually, immediately after the onset of the 70th Week, with the curve being more horizontal than vertical for the first 3½ years.  However, after the midpoint (at which time I believe the Great Tribulation will begin), I have felt, and continue to feel, that the “Intensity of Troubles” will soar calamitously and cataclysmically, with the curve climbing faster vertically than horizontally.  (The reader can click on the blue hyperlinks in the graph to obtain other information about those topics.)

The 70th Week

For those anticipating a “Pre-tribulation” Rapture, to take place prior to the final seven years, regrettably they have embraced an erroneous belief.  Unfortunately, this has led multitudes of well-meaning believers into a false and misguided sense of safety and security5.

The main Rapture event will take place well into the 70th Week, not prior to its beginning.  Those adhering the “Pre-tribulation” view of the Rapture may have an interest in reading my lengthy commentary on The Rapture, as well as the following responses to inquiries posed to me in emails, about the Rapture and other 70th Week events:

• Is the Pre-tribulation view of the Rapture the correct view?
• Doesn't God's wrath take place throughout the entire Tribulation or 70th Week period?
• When does the period known as the "Day of the Lord" occur?
• When does the Gog/Magog battle, described in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, occur?
• When do the events of Ezekiel chapters 35-39 take place?

In case the 70th Week period has begun (see the covenant and the Antichrist), I feel it is imperative for Christians and Jews not to be looking for the “imminent return” of the Messiah, in the clouds, to take them away (other than, perhaps, at a Mid-tribulation Rapture).  Rather, they need to be doing these things:

• being on watchful alert for escalating natural disasters, such as
  • earthquakes & volcanic eruptions,
  • famines,
  • pestilences & plagues, and
  • intense weather conditions, such as major hurricanes & tornadoes;
• being on alert for social unrest and calamities, such as
  • escalating crime & vandalism,
  • growing interracial conflict,
  • hyperinflation,
  • failing economies, and
  • acts of terrorism;
• preparing, as much as possible, for increasing scarcities and shortages of common items, by storing up
  • canned meats, fish, and vegetables;
  • oatmeal, cereal, dried fruit and nuts;
  • water and powdered milk;
  • medicines, over-the-counter medications, and vitamins;
  • fuel, generators and batteries;
  • some extra cash;
  • toothpaste, soap, and toilet paper; and
  • other daily necessities; and
• expecting and anticipating increased antagonism and aggression towards those who believe in the Judeo-Christian God—that is,
  • Christians and
  • Jews.

Disasters and calamities, both natural and social, probably will not happen everywhere at once.  Most likely, they will start earlier in some areas than in others.  But it always is better to organize one’s preparedness sooner rather than later, especially before hyperinflation takes hold.

Most people of the world always are hoping for a better day, a time when peace will reign throughout the earth, forevermore.  Eventually, this time is coming.

Before that can happen, however, a time of great tribulation, distress, sorrow, and suffering first must come to pass on the earth.  Jesus described this terrible time as follows:

For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again (Matthew 24:21).

Even if a believer is killed, he/she can have the guarantee of eternal salvation, having placed his/her faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  He is the Son of God, Who died for the sins of the world and was raised from death, on our behalf.

Praise be to the Lord Jesus for His infinite grace and mercy, as well as for the better world that He will provide when He comes!  He is “Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11a); His name is the “Word of God” (19:13b).  And He has exclaimed,

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world. (John 16:33).

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