My understanding has continued to evolve and has clarified to the point of rewording and reordering the following sections referencing Luke 21:20-24, Matthew 24:15-28, and Mark 13:14-23. It now seems clear to me that the Spirit inspired Luke to reference the attack of Titus and his legions since it refers to the fact that the Jewish people will be led away captive to all nations (v24). It seems that Matthew and Mark, however, were inspired to reference the actions of the Antichrist during the tribulation. For that reason, I will comment on Luke’s account first.
Interestingly enough, the advice is the same in light of the coming danger. So it would appear that Luke’s account has further application as a “type” of the events that will occur in the tribulation as recorded in Matthew and Mark.
The biggest pitfall in my study of prophecy still continues to be previous teaching that seems to cloud my understanding until I allow the LORD to open my eyes a bit more. All scripture was inspired for specific purpose, and the writers often did not understand their message. Daniel is a prime example.
Daniel 12:4, 8–9 “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased….And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.”
Daniel was basically told that he was not meant to understand that part of his message. After writing the Revelation, John was instructed not to seal the book. Why? Because the time was at hand. It was relevant to the people at that time.
Revelation 22:10 “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.”
Daniel, however, is told to seal the book. Why? Because the time was not at hand; it would apply to a people in the distant future. The words for shut up and seal indicate to close it and keep it hidden; this seems to be implying to keep it safe, to preserve it. The message of Daniel was not meant to remain sealed; it was only to be sealed until the time of the end. Personally, I think “the time of the end” references all time after the death and resurrection of Jesus—after the end of the 69th week. It now seems to me that the picture is getting ever more focused as the time for Jesus’ return draws near.
I usually hear Daniel 12:4 explained in reference to modern transportation and the huge advances in our knowledge of science and technology, and I don’t think you can say that is wrong since the reality of our day and age reflects the truth of it. I believe the direct reference, however, is to the increased interest in “end times” and the ability to understand God’s plan since the “Revelation” given to John on the Isle of Patmos.
When reading Amos, a couple of verses seemed to apply here:
Amos 8:11–12 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.”
This is talking of a time when men will run to and fro and not be able to find understanding in the word of God. Daniel is speaking of a time when men will be running to and fro and knowledge shall be increased—they will find understanding of the word of God.
Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Luke 21:21&23a Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto….But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days!
At the time described in these verses, the danger is imminent and the response should be immediate. No thought should be given to material possessions. Obviously, being with child would slow a person down. Luke also includes a warning for those Jews and believers in other countries not to come to Israel at this time.
Luke 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
“vengeance” = vindication, retribution, revenge, punishment
My first thought was to look up passages from the Old Testament that talk about vengeance that the LORD has promised. Scripture is clear that vengeance and recompense are God’s prerogative and is reserved for God’s enemies. God also declares that He will avenge the blood of His servants.
Deuteronomy 32:35 “To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence….”
Deuteronomy 32:41 “If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.”
Deuteronomy 32:43 “Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries….”
Nahum 1:2 “God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.”
I believe the vengeance spoken of by Luke is a reference to the declaration of Jesus in Matthew when denouncing the scribes and Pharisees.
Matthew 23:35-36 “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.”
I understand this in the same way that I understand we are all guilty of Adam’s sin. These religious leaders were in essence condemned as guilty for the sin of all that preceded them—from the murder of Abel to the death of Zechariah (possibly the prophet Zechariah)—when guilty of killing even one (i.e., Jesus).” This vengeance would be fulfilled with the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem and deportation of the Jews in 70 AD.
I think it is also important to note as we read the gospels, that Jesus is always emphasizing that the fulfillment of prophecy is important to God. It is a unique proof of His truth and deity.
Isaiah 42:8-9 “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure….”
John 13:19 “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.”
John 14:29 “And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.”
Luke 21:23b ….for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
These verses emphasize that the distress and wrath being mentioned here are referencing the land of Israel and the Jews in particular. Again, I believe this is a direct reference to the events that occurred after Titus and his legions destroyed Jerusalem in 70AD and took many Jews captive and sold them as slaves throughout the empire. Since that time, Jerusalem has been “trodden down by the Gentiles.” Many Jews have returned to Israel since it became a nation in 1948. As of September 2021, 47% of the Jewish people in the world now live in Israel according to jewishvirtuallibrary.org. The times of the Gentiles won’t be fulfilled until Antichrist is defeated and Christ returns to reestablish the throne of David. Some posit that the times of the Gentiles were over once Israel regained the Temple Mount in the 1967 Six-Day War; but the truth is that Israel basically ceded the Muslims control of the Mount, and they maintain that control to this day.
Now we turn to the accounts in Matthew and Mark.
Matt. 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Jesus is referencing a specific prophecy made by Daniel—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.”
“abomination” - bde÷lugma bdelugma, bdel´-oog-mah; from 948; a detestation, i.e. (specially) idolatry:—abomination.
Even though we know that Antiochus Epiphanes seemed to fulfill this prophecy in history when he sacrificed to Zeus by offering a pig on the altar in the temple, Jesus is making the point that this prophecy was yet to be fulfilled (as was the case with many prophecies—foreshadowing and fulfillment); it was future to the time that Jesus was speaking. This would be a desecration of the temple, which means that there will be a functioning temple prior to the occurrence of the event being referenced. This abomination would be a thing or person standing where it ought not—that would seem to reference something like an idol or false god. “The holy place” and “where it ought not” could reference any part of the temple, the whole of which is considered holy, but more likely refers to the inner sanctum, the holy of holies. There is no indication in history that such an abomination was perpetrated when Titus and his armies came through in 70AD; they were intent on total destruction.
Paul makes it clear in his second letter to the Thessalonians what this abomination will be.
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 a special note to those reading this passage. Obviously, the gospel narratives were intended 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: “ajnaginw¿skw anaginosko, an-ag-in-oce´-ko; to know again, i.e. (by extension) to read.”
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. The statement implies that one should be able to comprehend and take action when the event occurs.
Matt. 24:16-20 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
This part of the message is directed mainly to the Jewish people but would be pertinent to all believers in the area. The immediate danger is to those in Judea, a reference to the southernmost part of Israel. This would make sense, since the sign to flee is the abomination of desolation taking place in the temple in Jerusalem; this marks the point in time when the Antichrist will begin to show his true colors as the agent of Satan. It is the time that Satan is thrown out of heaven and, I believe, indwells the Antichrist and sets out to persecute the people of Israel.
Revelation 12:12-14 “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”
As in the passage in Luke, the danger is imminent and the response should be immediate and without hesitation. No thought should be given to material possessions. Obviously, being with child would slow a person down and winter weather can make travel more hazardous. Again, it’s Matthew who makes the obvious inclusion to his targeted audience (the Jews) regarding the hardship of having to flee on the Sabbath. It would do them well to remember at that time that the law was made for man’s benefit.
Mark 2:27 “And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath….”
Matt. 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
“Then” = following the desecration of the temple.
My study of prophecy indicates that the abomination of desolation will occur at the midpoint of the 70th week. It marks the beginning of the time we call the great tribulation, the last half of the 70th week, or the last 3.5 years before Jesus returns as King.
The prophet Daniel pinpoints the timing of the breaking of the covenant and the beginning of trouble for Israel—the middle of the week, after the first 3.5 years; and Revelation declares that the remnant of Israel will be protected for the last 3.5 years—1,260 days.
Daniel 9:27 “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
Revelation 12:6 “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days….”
This time of tribulation is described in a way that can only reference the future. It is described as the worst time of tribulation that will ever impact planet earth. This cannot be said of the destruction caused by Titus and his armies in 70AD.
These verses echo the prophecy given to Daniel, making specific application to the nation of Israel: "There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time" (12:1).
Matt. 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
“shortened” = koloboo, kol-ob-o´-o; from a derivative of the base of 2849; to dock, i.e. (figuratively) abridge:—shorten. 2849. (dwarf); properly, to curtail, i.e. (figuratively) to chastise (or reserve for infliction):—punish.
As I meditated on the word shortened, I came to the conclusion that it means to curtail—a specifically appointed time reserved for infliction or punishment. In other words, if God in His omniscience had not determined the specific timeframe with a predetermined end point, the result would have been the elimination of “flesh” on planet earth. This has not really been a possibility for man to accomplish until more recent times with the advent of nuclear technology and the development of biological and chemical warfare.
God is specifically safeguarding the existence of the remnant of Israel, his chosen people, “the elect”; but I think it also includes the whole body of believers on earth at that time—those who were saved as a result of the preaching and testimony of the two prophets (cf Revelation 11:3) and the 144,000 Jewish witnesses (cf Revelation 7) sealed at the beginning of the 70th week.
to be continued...
