Signposts to the seven year tribulation

Signposts in Daniel 9:27

To remind us, this is Daniel 9:27: And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week (a week of years – seven years). And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, and on a corner of the altar desolating abominations, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall be poured on the desolator.  The interpretation of which is: The Antichrist will strengthen, or enforce, a covenant with the Jews for seven years, but half way through the year he will renege on that covenant, preventing all further worship at the Jewish temple and present himself as God at the temple . From this one verse we can identify some signposts that will tell us if we are in the end-times. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, This event will undoubtedly be known world-wide, announced through international news and social media networks. For sacrifice and offerings to be in place, there must be a temple in which the Jews will be carrying out their rituals, and a previous agreement for the temple to be built. The signposts can therefore be reasonably suggested as: A covenant with the many enforced. The Jewish temple constructed and the sacrifices and offerings resumed The covenant reneged on The Antichrist setting himself up as God. The problem presented here is that if we rely on these signposts for a decision on preparing ourselves for the tribulation, assuming a pre-tribulation rapture they all come a little late. The covenant with many, enforced by the Antichrist, implies we will already be in the final seven years. If we are to do better than that, and make time to warn at least family and friends, then we have to look further than the obvious in Daniel 9:27. There is an additional factor that could be very significant. Immediately following the United Nations Summit in September 2024, a group was set up with the intent to bring about a two states solution for Palestine and Israel as the means towards peace and security in the region. The announcement lasted just 1min 30 seconds, followed by questions. In that short announcement it was stated that recognition of a State of Palestine would be a focus. Since that announcement, Israel's goal to destroy Hamas, and the consequential destruction of most of Gaza, has gradually turned the world against her. The result of this has been an almost unanimous vote by the UN General Assembly to recognise Palestine as a state. However, this hasn't brought the two-states solution any closer, with the content of Donald Trump's peace plan leaving plenty of room for negotiation. The release of all remaining live hostages has been accomplished. However, the release of the dead hostages, in true Hamas style, has been a trickle and a concern in terms of following the agreed peace plan. What is more disturbing is that as soon as the IDF retreated to the agreed yellow line, Hamas fighters, in their recognised uniform, and armed, returned to the streets and publicly executed Gazans who they considered to have collaborated with Israel. They are clearly re-asserting their authority in Gaza and have stated they will not disarm. The IDF has shot people approaching the yellow line who they consider to be a threat. As one would expect, accusations of breaking the cease fire are coming from both directions. Also, Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly stated he does not want to see a Palestinian state. It would seem, that this whole peace process is extremely fragile. Where does this leave the initiation of the seven year tribulation; I've no idea. Our approach must remain the same: The seven year tribulation will happen at some time, as will the rapture of the church. Remembering we do not know the day or hour, Matthew 24:36, 42 But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not the angels of Heaven, but only My Father. Therefore watch; for you do not know what hour your Lord comes. We must, then, ensure we are spiritually prepared and be aware the Lord could come at any time to gather His church. To adopt an approach that suggests this is a long way off could be a serious mistake for unbelievers, and also some believers whose faith might be superficial. The result of which could be an eternity separated from God.