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The Abomination of Desolation
Pandemic times were predicted by Jesus – that is, events that would affect the world. I believe that we have been living in the last days. Especially in the part called, the birth pains. I believe the age of Lawlessness started in the mid-sixties and it has been escalating ever since.
In our studying of the Olivet Discourse we have noted that Jesus is speaking to disciples, to Apostles that He personally selected and put into the church during His personal ministry here on earth.
The Olivet Discourse applies to the church of the last days. That's us. (Apologies to any of you who think there was no church until Pentecost)
We already looked at what Paul said to Timothy about the last days. Look again, when you have time, at the list of 18 items given by Paul … and think … pandemic. Most of those attitudes and behaviors have been with us since Adam and Eve. And they became pandemic in Noah's time. Those behaviors are once again reaching those proportions and they will just get worse. You can preach and lobby for social justice all you want … but in my opinion … its too little, too late. If we are indeed in the time of the end we need to focus our eyes on Jesus, the unsaved, and the unprepared.
So in this chapter we are approaching what Jesus says about the Abomination of Desolation.
Jesus is predicting a most urgent situation. Something is going to happen and it will happen suddenly and with little warning. The danger level will be off the chart.
Who will be most affected by this situation? Those who are in Jerusalem, obviously. Jerusalem, as we would expect, contains Jewish citizens. Some of these Jews are not religious in any way. They will have no reason to be afraid. Some are very orthodox Jewish God-fearing believers – their lives will be in danger. They will need to heed the warning of Jesus and leave the city instantly.
He gives imperative advice, “Get out of there, … now!”
The event is also included in the book of Revelation. There it states that the dragon attacks Israel, but to her (Israel) is given wings to escape. Her escape is assisted by the 'earth' helping her by means of a flood.
Jesus uses the event as a teaching reference point.
A terrible sacrilegious event will create and demarcate the most violent and pandemic situation the world has ever seen.
At this point I want to re-read the Olivet Discourse from the beginning and insert comments as I go along.
Olivet Discourse (- 3 Gospels combined)
Mt 24:1 ¶ Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.
Mark 13:1 ¶ And one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!"
Lu 21:5 ¶ And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said,
Mt 24:2 … "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
Mr 13:3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mr 13:4 "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished and of the end of the world?"
Mt 24:4 ¶ And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray.
Mt 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’
Lu 21:8 and, ‘The time is at hand!’
Mt 24:5 and they will lead many astray.
Lu 21:8 Do not go after them.
Mr 13:7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, Lu 21:9 and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place,Mr 13:7 but the end is not yet.
Lu 21:10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
World wars 1 and 2. (pandemic)
And Daniel mentions 3 other wars that are still future.
Lu 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
Mt 24:8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
The events that lead up to the terrors and signs from heaven are all called 'birth pains'. The 'birth' in this comparison, would be the return of Jesus.
But now Jesus takes a big step backward in the timeline.
Mr 13:9 "But be on your guard. Lu 21:12 Before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
Lu 21:13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness.
Lu 21:14 Settle it therefore in your minds
Mr 13:11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious Lu 21:14 to meditate beforehand Mr 13:11 but say whatever is given you in that hour, Lu 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
Mr 13:11 for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Mt 24:9 and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
(And at some point, possibly right here, Jesus is talking about, or at least including a similar happening during the tribulation period)
Mt 24:10 And then many will fall away.
Lu 21:16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.
Lu 21:18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
Lu 21:19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Mr 13:12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.
Mt 24:10 and (they will) betray one another and hate one another.
The following verses make it clear that the persecution Jesus has just mentioned, spans a range of time, beginning at the apostles time and that takes in our present age and goes to what lies ahead of us.
Mt 24:11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Mt 24:12 And because lawlessness will be increased (pandemic), the love of many will grow cold.
We are seeing lawlessness increase like never before. And it took a sharp upward swing in the mid 1960's.
Mt 24:13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Clearly the end refers to the end of the period, the tribulation.
Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom
Mr 13:10 must first be proclaimed Mt 24:14 through-out the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
The Gospel era, the gospel age, the Church Age, ends with this statement of Jesus, “and then the end will come”.
Now Jesus backs up to the mid-point of the coming seven year tribulation period.
Lu 21:20 ¶ "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.
Mt 24:15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place Mr 13:14 where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Lu 21:21 and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, Mr 13:15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out,
Mr 13:16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.
Lu 21:22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Lu 21:23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. Mr 13:18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. Mt 24:20 or on a Sabbath.
Mt 24:21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world Mr 13:19 that God created until now, and never will be.
The Great Tribulation begins with this event in Jerusalem.
And this will be the focal point in the chapter.
Jesus tells His church:
“When you see … ” (Luke 21:20)
Lu 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
We have been seeing the Jews coming back to the homeland during the 20th century and also now in the 21st century. It was prophesied. In the scripture we have just read that something terrible is happening in the temple. (The very fact there will be a temple is in itself a prophecy). But the Jews will be scattered once again. Luke says, ...”among all the nations.”
These are the words of Jesus to His church. But we also have Apostle John telling us about the Jews having to leave Israel once again. It is Revelation 12:
Re 12:14 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.
Where is this 'wilderness'? Some have speculated that Israel (the God-fearing remnant) runs to hide in Petra, a city-like group of dwellings literally carved into a mountainside. It is completely enclosed and the only access is through a narrow opening between two mountains. So narrow is the opening, it is said, a Camel must first be unloaded before it could pass through.
But John says that she is given the wings of an eagle, and Luke says that she goes into all the nations.
This sounds to me like a much bigger operation than its' being only those who could fit into the city of Petra.
So what is this abomination of desolation that sets all of this into motion?
Jesus gives us more than a hint. He actually points us to some recommended reading. He says that this abomination of desolation is described in the book of Daniel. He says, 'Read it … but strive to understand it.'
Mt 24:15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place Mr 13:14 where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
So let's go read Daniel … and try to understand just who or what this abomination is. We will go directly to chapter 11.
But before we do, it is important that you understand how the book of Daniel is constructed.
Daniel was given more than one prophecy regarding the future. Some, or much of it, predicted world leaders that would come into power at some point between Daniel's time and the time of Jesus. So all of that is history.
But in several of his prophecies Daniel writes concerning the last days and particularly about a person who we identify as 'the Anti-Christ'
This means, as you read Daniel, you will come to a point that seems like 'the end'. And it is. But then he goes on and tells about it again, adding more detail than what we had read up to that point.
So, 3 or 4 times, you will read about the Antichrist and his being destroyed by God.
By going directly to chapter 11 we are reading about Daniel's last time that he mentions the Anti-Christ.
Daniel 11:20 "Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle.
21 ¶ In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
I included verse 20 simply so that you can see how Daniel indicates when or how a particular ruler comes into power. The leader that comes into power in verse 21 remains in the narrative up to verse 45.
45 And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.
It is verse 31 in particular that Jesus had in mind:
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.
The apostle Paul sheds a bit more light on this as well.
2 Thess 2:4 who 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.
So there we have it. The Antichrist will sit in the new temple … and call himself, God. Will he also set up an image of himself in the temple?
Let's read Revelation
Re 13:11 ¶ Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.
12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.
13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people,
14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.
We don't want to assume things that are not actually in the scriptures. Yes, there will be an image set up, and yes, there will be a universal command to bow down to it in worship. But we cannot assume that it will be located in the temple.
We are not nearly done with the information that is recorded in Daniel, but for now it is enough to continue with the Olivet Discourse.
Jesus goes on to say,
Mr 13:20 “And unless the Lord had shortened those days,(?) no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, Mt 24:22 those days will be shortened (?).
Mt 24:23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.
Mt 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Mr 13:23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
Mt 24:26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Lu 21:25 "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Mt 24:30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
There are many things in these last verses that need discussion, but for now we will conclude the section regarding the Abomination of Desolation and we will continue with the Olivet Discourse a bit later.
In the next chapter I will focus on what Daniel's prophecies have to say regarding the actions of this coming world leader.
I trust you have been appreciating the words of Jesus regarding His return. Perhaps you have noticed that the signs that He gives are progressive. That is, He tells us of a happening … or perhaps two or three at a time, and then He gives an implied, “And next there will be ...” and so forth. So what He says progresses forward through time and through the tribulation period.
This is in contrast, for example, to Paul speaking to Timothy about the last days. Paul's list does not seem to be progressing through time … it seems to be that he is saying that in the last days, all of the 18 listed conditions will present.
But even as Jesus progresses through time, from the Apostles day right to the end … He does so without being specific regarding days and dates.
Daniel and the Revelation, on the other hand, are very specific. Numbers and days are mentioned, such as 'from here to here will 1260 days', etc.
But Jesus does mention that for the elect's sake, the days would be shortened. In a later chapter we will follow the days and numbers more carefully.
I have talked in this chapter about the abomination of desolation - a cunning, cruel, powerful and wicked world leader who will one day sit in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, claiming to be God.
Daniel describes him as a person whose only god is the use of force.
So before we move on in the narrative of Jesus, as I have said, we will follow the actions of this man and learn as much as we can about him.
In our studying of the Olivet Discourse we have noted that Jesus is speaking to disciples, to Apostles that He personally selected and put into the church during His personal ministry here on earth.
The Olivet Discourse applies to the church of the last days. That's us. (Apologies to any of you who think there was no church until Pentecost)
We already looked at what Paul said to Timothy about the last days. Look again, when you have time, at the list of 18 items given by Paul … and think … pandemic. Most of those attitudes and behaviors have been with us since Adam and Eve. And they became pandemic in Noah's time. Those behaviors are once again reaching those proportions and they will just get worse. You can preach and lobby for social justice all you want … but in my opinion … its too little, too late. If we are indeed in the time of the end we need to focus our eyes on Jesus, the unsaved, and the unprepared.
So in this chapter we are approaching what Jesus says about the Abomination of Desolation.
Jesus is predicting a most urgent situation. Something is going to happen and it will happen suddenly and with little warning. The danger level will be off the chart.
Who will be most affected by this situation? Those who are in Jerusalem, obviously. Jerusalem, as we would expect, contains Jewish citizens. Some of these Jews are not religious in any way. They will have no reason to be afraid. Some are very orthodox Jewish God-fearing believers – their lives will be in danger. They will need to heed the warning of Jesus and leave the city instantly.
He gives imperative advice, “Get out of there, … now!”
The event is also included in the book of Revelation. There it states that the dragon attacks Israel, but to her (Israel) is given wings to escape. Her escape is assisted by the 'earth' helping her by means of a flood.
Jesus uses the event as a teaching reference point.
A terrible sacrilegious event will create and demarcate the most violent and pandemic situation the world has ever seen.
At this point I want to re-read the Olivet Discourse from the beginning and insert comments as I go along.
Olivet Discourse (- 3 Gospels combined)
Mt 24:1 ¶ Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.
Mark 13:1 ¶ And one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!"
Lu 21:5 ¶ And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said,
Mt 24:2 … "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
Mr 13:3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mr 13:4 "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished and of the end of the world?"
Mt 24:4 ¶ And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray.
Mt 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’
Lu 21:8 and, ‘The time is at hand!’
Mt 24:5 and they will lead many astray.
Lu 21:8 Do not go after them.
Mr 13:7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, Lu 21:9 and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place,Mr 13:7 but the end is not yet.
Lu 21:10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
World wars 1 and 2. (pandemic)
And Daniel mentions 3 other wars that are still future.
Lu 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
Mt 24:8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
The events that lead up to the terrors and signs from heaven are all called 'birth pains'. The 'birth' in this comparison, would be the return of Jesus.
But now Jesus takes a big step backward in the timeline.
Mr 13:9 "But be on your guard. Lu 21:12 Before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
Lu 21:13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness.
Lu 21:14 Settle it therefore in your minds
Mr 13:11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious Lu 21:14 to meditate beforehand Mr 13:11 but say whatever is given you in that hour, Lu 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
Mr 13:11 for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Mt 24:9 and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
(And at some point, possibly right here, Jesus is talking about, or at least including a similar happening during the tribulation period)
Mt 24:10 And then many will fall away.
Lu 21:16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.
Lu 21:18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
Lu 21:19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Mr 13:12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.
Mt 24:10 and (they will) betray one another and hate one another.
The following verses make it clear that the persecution Jesus has just mentioned, spans a range of time, beginning at the apostles time and that takes in our present age and goes to what lies ahead of us.
Mt 24:11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Mt 24:12 And because lawlessness will be increased (pandemic), the love of many will grow cold.
We are seeing lawlessness increase like never before. And it took a sharp upward swing in the mid 1960's.
Mt 24:13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Clearly the end refers to the end of the period, the tribulation.
Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom
Mr 13:10 must first be proclaimed Mt 24:14 through-out the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
The Gospel era, the gospel age, the Church Age, ends with this statement of Jesus, “and then the end will come”.
Now Jesus backs up to the mid-point of the coming seven year tribulation period.
Lu 21:20 ¶ "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.
Mt 24:15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place Mr 13:14 where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Lu 21:21 and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, Mr 13:15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out,
Mr 13:16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.
Lu 21:22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Lu 21:23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. Mr 13:18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. Mt 24:20 or on a Sabbath.
Mt 24:21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world Mr 13:19 that God created until now, and never will be.
The Great Tribulation begins with this event in Jerusalem.
And this will be the focal point in the chapter.
Jesus tells His church:
“When you see … ” (Luke 21:20)
- When you see Jerusalem surrounded, The temple is about to be desecrated
- When you see the desecration, the Great Tribulation (the last 3 ½ years) has begun. Be ready for it.
Lu 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
We have been seeing the Jews coming back to the homeland during the 20th century and also now in the 21st century. It was prophesied. In the scripture we have just read that something terrible is happening in the temple. (The very fact there will be a temple is in itself a prophecy). But the Jews will be scattered once again. Luke says, ...”among all the nations.”
These are the words of Jesus to His church. But we also have Apostle John telling us about the Jews having to leave Israel once again. It is Revelation 12:
Re 12:14 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.
Where is this 'wilderness'? Some have speculated that Israel (the God-fearing remnant) runs to hide in Petra, a city-like group of dwellings literally carved into a mountainside. It is completely enclosed and the only access is through a narrow opening between two mountains. So narrow is the opening, it is said, a Camel must first be unloaded before it could pass through.
But John says that she is given the wings of an eagle, and Luke says that she goes into all the nations.
This sounds to me like a much bigger operation than its' being only those who could fit into the city of Petra.
So what is this abomination of desolation that sets all of this into motion?
Jesus gives us more than a hint. He actually points us to some recommended reading. He says that this abomination of desolation is described in the book of Daniel. He says, 'Read it … but strive to understand it.'
Mt 24:15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place Mr 13:14 where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
So let's go read Daniel … and try to understand just who or what this abomination is. We will go directly to chapter 11.
But before we do, it is important that you understand how the book of Daniel is constructed.
Daniel was given more than one prophecy regarding the future. Some, or much of it, predicted world leaders that would come into power at some point between Daniel's time and the time of Jesus. So all of that is history.
But in several of his prophecies Daniel writes concerning the last days and particularly about a person who we identify as 'the Anti-Christ'
This means, as you read Daniel, you will come to a point that seems like 'the end'. And it is. But then he goes on and tells about it again, adding more detail than what we had read up to that point.
So, 3 or 4 times, you will read about the Antichrist and his being destroyed by God.
By going directly to chapter 11 we are reading about Daniel's last time that he mentions the Anti-Christ.
Daniel 11:20 "Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle.
21 ¶ In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
I included verse 20 simply so that you can see how Daniel indicates when or how a particular ruler comes into power. The leader that comes into power in verse 21 remains in the narrative up to verse 45.
45 And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.
It is verse 31 in particular that Jesus had in mind:
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.
The apostle Paul sheds a bit more light on this as well.
2 Thess 2:4 who 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.
So there we have it. The Antichrist will sit in the new temple … and call himself, God. Will he also set up an image of himself in the temple?
Let's read Revelation
Re 13:11 ¶ Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.
12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.
13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people,
14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.
We don't want to assume things that are not actually in the scriptures. Yes, there will be an image set up, and yes, there will be a universal command to bow down to it in worship. But we cannot assume that it will be located in the temple.
We are not nearly done with the information that is recorded in Daniel, but for now it is enough to continue with the Olivet Discourse.
Jesus goes on to say,
Mr 13:20 “And unless the Lord had shortened those days,(?) no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, Mt 24:22 those days will be shortened (?).
Mt 24:23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.
Mt 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Mr 13:23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
Mt 24:26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Lu 21:25 "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Mt 24:30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
There are many things in these last verses that need discussion, but for now we will conclude the section regarding the Abomination of Desolation and we will continue with the Olivet Discourse a bit later.
In the next chapter I will focus on what Daniel's prophecies have to say regarding the actions of this coming world leader.
I trust you have been appreciating the words of Jesus regarding His return. Perhaps you have noticed that the signs that He gives are progressive. That is, He tells us of a happening … or perhaps two or three at a time, and then He gives an implied, “And next there will be ...” and so forth. So what He says progresses forward through time and through the tribulation period.
This is in contrast, for example, to Paul speaking to Timothy about the last days. Paul's list does not seem to be progressing through time … it seems to be that he is saying that in the last days, all of the 18 listed conditions will present.
But even as Jesus progresses through time, from the Apostles day right to the end … He does so without being specific regarding days and dates.
Daniel and the Revelation, on the other hand, are very specific. Numbers and days are mentioned, such as 'from here to here will 1260 days', etc.
But Jesus does mention that for the elect's sake, the days would be shortened. In a later chapter we will follow the days and numbers more carefully.
I have talked in this chapter about the abomination of desolation - a cunning, cruel, powerful and wicked world leader who will one day sit in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, claiming to be God.
Daniel describes him as a person whose only god is the use of force.
So before we move on in the narrative of Jesus, as I have said, we will follow the actions of this man and learn as much as we can about him.