The U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance—no matter what setbacks—is alive, well and proceeding to its logical conclusion: The U.S.-Israel Defense Pact [1]. Iran's determination to resuscitate its nuclear program and trade its oil for anything but dollars; the Sharon "X-Factor”—i.e., Israel after Sharon; and the incessant insurgency in Iraq [2], along with increasing agitation from Hamas (Note Hamas' domination of Palestinian politics.), Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah and other belligerents, have all converged to create the perfect geopolitical storm. We await the unprecedented admission that Israel and the USA will no longer regard as politically embarrassing nor strategically ill-advised vis-à-vis the Arab world to openly declare a comprehensive "peace accord” guaranteeing Israel's security—once and for all! [3]The debate—or wishful thinking on the part of "fair-minded” (not to say they are not) American Middle East policy wonks like Michael Lind, The Nation et al—over linking Israeli behavior to U.S. support for Israel juxtaposed to the minuscule issue of those in America who want Israel to survive and those (a tiny minority) who do not: Simply ain't 'gonna happen! The pro-Israel lobby is overwhelming in driving the alliance between the USA and Israel—AIPAC (America-Israel Public Affairs Committee), along with other American Jewish Organizations; the powerful, though at times mercurial Evangelical-Zionists (witness Brother Pat's absurdities); and the ever influential Neo-Con Establishment—all demand it, and, furthermore, the punditocracy incessantly clamors for it! [4]Money talks—anyone who thinks otherwise should wake up and smell the coffee, roses or the skunks out there; and, if you can't, it's the first sign of political Alzheimer's setting in! To think America's political system, where favors are bought and sold—through "campaign finance reform” (witness the Abramoff fiasco)—will ever correct itself . . . then, fella, you've already bought the bridge and it's time for some swamp land down in Florida. The Strategic vs. the Eschatological ImperativeNow, it's time we delve into the theological intricacies of the eschatological imperative driving the current "strategic dialogue” between the USA and Israel—primarily centering upon the Prince of the Covenant; a title committed to Israel's high priest but practically usurped by the prototype of Antichrist in antiquity, Antiochus Epiphanes IV, as we shall see later [5] But first, and let me forewarn you, this is not designed as a casual read for Christian Triumphalists [6], the faint of heart or, for that matter, those who recoil when believers zealously affirm the end of the world as we know it—especially, given the superabundance of poignant footnotes—however, let us recap.In the previous three segments of this series on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance, we've stressed the strategic aspects of the alliance. We highlighted the following tenets of the "special relationship” between the United States and Israel:(1) Part I - "Your Covenant with Death, Your Agreement with Hell” . . . toward a U.S.-Israel Defense Pact; guaranteeing Israel's security by the USA.(2) Part II - "He will confirm a covenant with the many . . .” emphasis upon the "He” in establishing the special relationship between the USA and Israel—the growing ascendancy of Presidential interference (encouraged or unwelcome) juxtaposed to Congressional and/or State Department influence over the U.S.-Israel "special relationship.”(3) Part III - "He will also invade the beautiful land” - The West's gradual buildup in the Middle East; especially, the USA's recent incursions into Iraq, Afghanistan, etc., and the ultimate strategic presence of the U.S. military throughout Israel proper.The Defining IssueThe sine qua non—the indispensable essential—in Premillenarian eschatology (i.e., the direct rule and reign of the "Messianic Era” is yet future upon this earth [7]) which demarcates the end of the age of human history as we have known it, and the supernatural intrusion of Daniel's infamous Seventieth Week, is the deceptive, as well as insolent orchestration of a Defense Pact or Treaty wrought between Israel and earth's uncontested Gentile World Power through the subterfuge of none other than the one known as: The Antichrist! [8] This mutual accord, to be sure, does not countenance earth's scene unannounced or by happenstance—as if a regathered Israel would submit her security to a mysterious nation or power "out there” who has not, prior to this exquisite subtlety, garnered immense credibility with Jacob's heritage. The Jews of Israel—the modern Israeli state—after centuries of persecution, expulsions, inquisitions, pogroms, holocaust and incessant wars since their rebirth, will not abide a "security alliance” with a neophyte upstart with dubious credentials; especially, if he were to claim Jewish heritage. [9]Certainly, for such a despicable figure to appear from Eurasia is not only a sheer fabrication of historic revisionism (as if Europe or some other Middle Eastern nation could illicit Israel's signature [10])—it bespeaks a bald-faced rejection of the very Image who arose upon the Plains of Shinar in King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, as interpreted by Daniel the Prophet. Neo-Babylonia [11], Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome—the lion, bear, leopard and the ten-horned beast—the head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and sides of bronze and legs of iron—these derivatives of the Image connote the development of Gentile World Power; the evolution—the extension—of the Kingdom of this World juxtaposed to Israel, the Jews. (Please see Daniel 2:31-34; 7:3-7.)Not of Islam, nor of India, the East nor Orthodoxy, and assuredly not of African nor Indigenous Civilizations [12] were envisioned in the prophecies of Daniel and dream of Nebuchadnezzar. There was but one civilization destined to interact with ancient and modern Israel: The West. The overt progression westward from the Crescent of Civilization, Mesopotamia, did this colossus strut and strive upon this earthly clod—demanding unmitigated adoration and worship, homage and subservience. Alas! Did not the West tread upon the face of the whole earth to colonize, subjugate and enrich herself—thus, did the Image begin to walk with feet mixed with iron and clay; some strong, some weak (Daniel 2:33, 41-43)? [13]Its greatness was and is unquestioned; its military supremacy is altogether awesome . . . to resist is futile, for ultimately, this beast will revert to its most egregious manner: "Dreadful and terrible, exceedingly

strong . . . devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet” (Daniel 7:7). Yes, what is left after the devouring and breaking to pieces is trampled asunder? There is nothing left! [14]To deny the West's ultimate manifestation, climax, apex—her crown jewel—is to renounce all sense of historic perspective, and to embrace a colonial template whose zenith in the sun has long been obscured by the reflection of the ten-horned beast: The Eleventh Horn. [15] Alas! That outcropping who, when he bursts forth, uproots three of his familiars. [16] As Nebuchadnezzar was "that head of gold”—a King with a Kingdom—even so, this finality of evil, the embodiment of pomposity, will speak great words; far greater than his fellows (Daniel 7:8, 20), for this recent authority perceives with evil eye and speaks with a mouth words of grandeur to deceive even the very elect . . . such are the powers of persuasion resourced in this latter-day potentate whose empire bears a frightful semblance to its Romish progenitor. [17]A Beast Rising Up Out of the SeaEven so, it is precisely this creature from the abyss—the Eleventh Horn— whose quest for hidden treasures drives him to "rule over many, and (to) divide the land for profit” (Daniel 11:39). There is nothing novel derived from nobility or pauper throughout history [18], given the opportunity, wherein certain of their species will advance to proclaim their hegemony over men of lesser means. But this one's resume sums up perhaps fallen man's greatest efforts—replete with all manner of claims and fancy to advance his sinister agenda.His use of "slipperiness and flattery” (Daniel 11:34) knows no end in his efforts to coalesce allies [19] . . . . "Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished . . . he shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all” (Daniel 11:36).And, why should he take regard, when "in their place” - substitutes for the Almighty and all natural relationships is the modus operandi of this Willful King - "he shall honor a god of fortresses” and abject materialism ("he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things”—Daniel 11:38)? And with these he is prepared to act "against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance his glory” (Daniel 11:39).How convenient to substitute all that is God for his own achievements—honoring a "foreign god” - the "god of fortresses” who will enable this Willful King to surmount even the strongest of fortresses. Is this not the one who offered Jesus in his temptation all the kingdoms of this world if the Son of Man would simply bow down and worship this provocateur and avaricious imposter? [20]Let's not equivocate by downplaying his audacious pedigree of evil intent. All of this MADMAN's modus operandi (Antiochus Epimanes IV's title given to him by his enemies) is foundational to his ultimate transfiguration into the latter-day Willful King. For one, the taking of the ultimate presumptuous title: Epiphanes . . . "God is Manifest!” This outrageous accolade underlies the human tragedy of humanity exclusively given over to unbridled deviltry.Antiquity bears out his primordial pontifications:

"I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High” (Spoken by Lucifer, Isaiah 14:13-14) Indeed, it was said of Antiochus Epiphanes IV that he was a vile person—to whom they will not give the honor of royalty (Daniel 11:21a). Immediately, this "man of the people” declares his "democratic” intentions: "He shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue” (Daniel 11:21b).Could it be that embedded in this delineation is a clue to his populism? Would a popularly elected leader be able to ascend in the latter days to the next disclosure: The Prince of the Covenant (Daniel 11:22)? Is not this the same identification found in Daniel 8?"And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down . . . an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered” (Daniel 8:9-12) (My emphasis).The prophetic writings of Daniel—as well as other Hebrew prophets (e.g., Ezekiel 26-29, the King and Prince of Tyrus; Isaiah 14, the King of Babylon) skillfully deploy this metaphorical instrument to convey both a prototype past, as well as an archetype future, of the Almighty's antithesis.Even so, the metamorphosis of the figure, Antiochus Epiphanes IV, into the one who will with insolence "confirm a covenant with the many” (Daniel 9:27) - also known as the "the Coming Prince” (i.e., "the prince who is to come” - Daniel 9:26) - will do so as the "prince of the covenant” - for "after the league is made with him (i.e., "the prince of the covenant”), he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people” (Daniel 11:22-23).

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