Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort when a person holds two contradictory beliefs. Here is a link to some understanding of cognitive dissonance.
In terms of prophecy, there are two basic understandings of the events spoken of in Daniel chapter 9. Mainstream secular news does not focus on this, but just like adults speaking over the heads of children in the room, those who are aware of prophecy understand there is a prophetic element. I am trying to share that in the ultimate interest of peace.
Daniel was a prophet who correctly predicted the progression of empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. He was so accurate some have said that the book of Daniel must have been written “after the fact”. However, Jesus referred to Daniel. Jesus would not have spoken of Daniel if Daniel had been simply a deceptive historian.
The Apostle Paul knew the importance of speaking truth. Paul’s training came from the Old Testament as well as the risen Christ. What Paul says here is echoed in the verses in Ezekiel.
Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Acts 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
Paul would have known these verses, having been a highly trained Pharisee before coming to Christ.
Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
And then there is this warning in Proverbs.
Proverbs 24:11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Nowadays, we call these kinds of people, “whistleblowers”.
If a separated 70th week is involved in the backdrop of a continued war, that it is not inconceivable that one day American children might be drafted into that war.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
When you consider prophecy from the other pathway, that it has been fulfilled, then all that is left is for Israel, like all people of the earth who have not yet done so, to receive the invitation to be born again and redemption through Jesus Christ. If the covenant ended, and the old covenant did with the death of the testator (Hebrews 9:16-17), Jesus Christ, the new covenant has begun with his death, burial, and resurrection, then it is not war we need, but simply to receive salvation in Jesus Christ.
Here are some prior articles which will add more information to what is written above.