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Author: Stephen Weller
652 words, 3 minutes read time

The Abomination of Desolation

Scripture: Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20-22

With the last lesson we finished the section on persecution and learned that as the end approaches persecution will increase. With this lesson we begin a section about the abomination of desolation.

^{Lk 21:20} “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. ^{Mt 24:15} [And] when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place, M^{k 13:14} where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, ^{Lk 21:21} and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, ²² for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.

Looking back at Luke 21:8 – 19, we find Jesus describing what will occur before the destruction of Jerusalem. In that description he used the word “you” which has two meanings. The first meaning refers to those he is speaking to, while the second refers to those who actually see Jerusalem surrounded by armies.” The first occurrence of Jerusalem being surrounded was in A.D. 70 while the second will be at the end of the age. As the armies approach and if there is still time, “let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it.

The abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel refers back to Daniel 9:27 ESV: “And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” Commentators agree that this is a difficult verse to understand and have come forth with three possible interruptions. We will not consider these views here but will simply draw out two words “abominations” and “desolate” and form the title “abomination of desolation” that Jesus refers to.

There were several times in Jewish history when it was thought that the prophecy was being fulfilled, but Jesus clarifies that it would be fulfilled at two separate occasions. The first would be found in the Roman destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 and the second in the last days when an image of the Antichrist is set up in the temple. This is in connection with the time when the Antichrist “opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV). The image is spoken of in Revelation 13:14 where instruction is given to “make an image for the beast (the Antichrist) that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.”

For this second event to take place, a temple would need to be constructed, providing an opportunity for the Jews to again establish Old Testament sacrificial practices. We are drawing closer to an interesting time when many will see substantial changes taking place. For example, animal human hybrids are already in their beginning stages and technology has made it possible for a person to appear as a live person as a hologram speaking a different language. With the coming advances of science in connection with AI (artificial intelligence), we can’t even imagine what might be experienced in the end days.

Conclusion

A time of great difficulty for Jerusalem and Israel is coming, but first is the need of another temple for the abomination of desolation, that Jesus speaks of, to occur.