In Matthew and Mark’s account, Jesus warns about the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, making clear that this is a future event.
Daniel 12:11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.”
Nothing happened that would answer to this prophecy when the Roman legions destroyed the temple and the city of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Yet, Jesus makes reference to an unholy thing or person standing in the temple, most likely in the holy of holies. This necessitates the building of another temple; so, obviously, that is yet future to present time. The fact that revered Moslem structures are currently located on the temple mount seem to negate this possibility, but I know that God’s word will prove true. I think it is likely that mediating peace in the Middle East and reaching an agreement to rebuild the temple will be the primary accomplishments that launch the ascendance of the Antichrist as the recognized leader of the world.
Paul makes it fairly clear in his second letter to the Thessalonians that the abomination of desolation is perpetrated by the Antichrist.
2Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
It’s interesting that the Spirit inspired Matthew and Mark to include a special note to those reading this passage. Obviously, the gospel narratives were written to be read by others. It also indicates to me that they were aware they might not be around at the time this event occurred. The word for readeth was quite interesting.; it stated, “to know again.” This implies that this message should serve as a reminder of something of which you already have knowledge. The word for understand means to exercise the mind in order to comprehend. Implication—one should be able to comprehend and take action when the event occurs.
The LORD makes it clear that when they see the abomination take place, they should immediately flee the country; they weren’t to take the time to get anything to take with them. He noted that it would be really hard on those who were pregnant or nursing babies and told them to pray it wouldn’t be in winter, when travel would be much more hazardous, or on the sabbath, when travel would be more difficult.
I know from my study of Revelation that this event is basically the midpoint of the tribulation, the 70th week of Daniel, the last seven years on earth before Jesus returns as King of kings. It marks the time when Satan is thrown out of heaven and, I believe, indwells the antichrist. He will be intent on persecuting the people of Israel in particular.
Jesus goes on to say that this will begin a time of “great tribulation,” a time of trouble worse than any other since the creation of the world. In fact, if the LORD had not determined to cut short the time for the benefit of the elect (those who turned to Him in faith during that time), all flesh on planet earth would be destroyed. This has not really been a possibility until more recent times with the advent of nuclear technology and the development of biological and chemical warfare.
Though there are those that believe all these events refer to history past, they are ignoring the plain reading of scripture. As stated previously, there was no abomination of desolation that occurred when Titus and his legions destroyed the temple and Jerusalem. Neither was there a threat to the entire population of planet earth at that time. People who deny the future application of this scripture are also those that deny that the people of Israel are still a valid part of God’s plan for the future. They will be made to realize their error when Jesus returns as King of kings to take the throne of David in Jerusalem in the restored nation of Israel to rule the world.
(to be continued...)
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