Welcome back! If you are joining us for the first time, welcome. We have been on a little journey this past week looking at Matthew 24. So far, we have covered verses 1 through 14. Today, it’s all about an abomination of desolation. Since it’s been a few days, let’s do a quick review of what we have learned so far.
Verses 1 and 2 are about the coming destruction of the temple. While the disciples are admiring its beauty, Jesus tells them it will eventually be destroyed.
In verse 3, we read that the disciples have 3 questions. When will this will happen? What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?
Then we see in verses 4 through 14, Jesus begins to answer their questions. However, he starts with a warning – do not be led astray. Jesus is speaking about the Jews and what they will see and experience.
Then Jesus answered their questions by giving them several signs, not just one. In verses 4 through 8, he gives them the signs:
- Many will come in Jesus’ name
- False Messiahs will lead many astray
- They will hear of wars and rumors of wars
- Nation will rise against nation
- Kingdom will rise against kingdom
- Famines
- Earthquakes
Then in verses 9 through 14…
- They will be delivered to tribulation.
- Put to death
- Be hated by all nations
- Many will fall away
- Betray each other
- Hate each other
- False prophets will arise and lead many astray
- Lawlessness will increase
- The love of many will grow cold.
Today, we will look at verse 15 and expand on that a bit with the help of Daniel.
Matthew 24:15, “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),”
The abomination of desolation? What is that?
The prophet Daniel mentions this too. Let’s take a look at what Daniel says.
Daniel 9:24-27, “24 “Seventy weeks[a] are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.[b] 25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again[c] with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.
26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its[d] end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week,[e] 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.”
Daniel 11:31, “31 Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.”
Daniel 12:11, “11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.”
According to Daniel, the abomination takes place halfway through the 70th week of Daniel.
Commentators do not believe it should be associated with the destruction of the temple in AD 70.
The abomination of desolation, according to my Bible dictionary, means “understand the Lord to be speaking not of the fall of Jerusalem but of the end-time itself, immediately prior to his own coming; and they link the setting up of the abomination with the appearance and activity of the man of sin.”
Jesus seems to indicate that the abomination catches people by surprise.
What I also find interesting about what Jesus said is this, “Let the reader understand.”
In other words, go back and read the prophet, Daniel 9.
Jesus tells the disciples what to look for, and I believe his words ring true for Jewish people today. Sadly, many will go through this tribulation period because they have rejected Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. They will see the abomination of desolation in the temple.
Do you know what that means? There will be a third temple in Jerusalem someday.
Next time we’re together, we will look at the next verse. Until then, grab your Bible and read Daniel chapter 9 in its entirety.
Blessings!
The Teaching Lady
Signs Of The End Times – Part 1 – The Temple
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