Just to recap what we’ve already discussed, Ezekiel 38:2 depicts the Antichrist as the Slavic ruler of Russia at the time of the end. In Daniel 11:21, we learn that the Antichrist is going to rise to power in Syria. Putting it all together, the Antichrist will start out as the leader of Russia who seizes power in Syria.
Israel and many other nations will not approve. Daniel 11:22 describes a massive military force from many nations that will come against this foreign usurper in Syria. This is known as the Daniel 11:22 War and it will be a big victory for the Antichrist. The military force will include Israel, because a “prince of the covenant” is going to be swept away. That’s probably a reference to an Israeli ruler or general. The other nations will likely be from the Middle East and North Africa. Most nations in the world today that haven’t recognized Israel are in the Middle East and North Africa. Well, when the Antichrist defeats Israel and these other nations, Daniel 11:23 states that they will make a deal with him.
This deal is the seven-year agreement Israel and many other nations are going to make with the Antichrist that begins the countdown to the Day of the Lord, prophesied in Daniel 9:27. The international recognition of Israel as a state is a key part of the Antichrist’s seven-year deal, because according to Daniel 9:27 it’s going to confirm an existing covenant. The covenant that will be confirmed is the agreement God made with Abraham, the unconditional promise of the land of Israel to the Jewish people. Both Daniel 11:28 and Daniel 11:30 also state that the Antichrist’s deal will specifically confirm this holy covenant.
Of course, this will come with strings attached. Although this deal will internationally recognize Israel’s right to exist, Israel will have to divide its land. Joel 3:2 talks about God judging the nations in the end times because they divided the land of Israel. There’ll be more on that later.