The abomination that causes desolation

The abomination that causes desolation

Scripture:

“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— ¹⁶ then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. ¹⁸ Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. ¹⁹ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! ²⁰ Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. ²¹ For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.

²² “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened Matthew 24:15-22

Observation:

First were the false Christs, the wars and rumors of wars, the earthquakes, famines and plagues, all coming in greater and greater frequency. Then the Lord prophesied of the worldwide persecution of all His disciples. And the Lord now gives us an even closer look of this time by referring to the prophecy of the Old Testament prophet Daniel.

Specifically the prophet Daniel prophesied that the abomination of desolation would be set up in God’s holy temple, and that the daily sacrifice to God would be taken away. In Biblical language, idols are typically called “abominations”, and in all likelihood, an idol will be set up there to be worshipped instead of the true God. During the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, who was a type of Anti-Christ, he set up the statue of Jupiter in God’s temple, and took away the daily sacrifice. Apparently, archaeological studies indicate that the statue of Jupiter or Zeus has been relocated in Italy, recast as the prominent statue of St.Peter in  Rome today, with its feet kissed by devotees until its toes are nearly worn away. Some theologians even surmise that this very same idol will be transported back to Jerusalem to be this abomination that causes desolation.

An interesting point to note about this prophecy is that for this to happen, there must be a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and that the daily sacrifice to God must be resumed. Since the temple was destroyed almost 2,000 years ago, and Israel ceased to exist as a nation, all this totally could not be envisaged. However, Israel has against all odds, reappeared again suddenly in 1948 as a country, and has become very powerful in a short time. A famous mosque now stands where the temple used to be situated, but there is a growing movement within Israel lobbying for the temple to be rebuilt. In fact, the temple utensils and sacred items, the priest robes and training of the Levites has already begun! End time prophecy is coming true right in our lifetime! Some experts have estimated that it will only take less than 1 year to rebuilt the temple, which some also infer may be built next to the famous Mosque in a compromise probably brokered by the great peacemaker between the Jews and the Muslim nations who will be the AntiChrist himself.

When this happens, the Lord warns specifically those living in Judea in advance, to flee to the mountains, not taking anything from their house or even getting a cloak. How dreadful it would be especially for the nursing mothers or those pregnant, for they would not be able to flee quickly.

Now this prophecy will come true and nothing can change that, but the Lord indicates that prayer can shift the timing when this prophecy occurs. Specifically, we are asked to pray that it will not happen in winter or on a Sabbath, which will make the flight even harder than it already is. The Lord speaks of distress unequaled from the beginning of the world until now and never again. This distress is spoken off as the Great Tribulation in the Book of Revelation. If those days were not cut short, no one would survive, but interestingly, for the sake of the elect, they are shortened. Who are the elect? Those who belong to Jesus - us who are chosen.

Application:

Watch carefully the proceedings that are happening in Israel today, for they hold the key to tell us our proximity to the coming of the abomination of desolation and the Great Tribulation. Specifically watch for the rebuilding of the third temple that is already being strongly advocated. In the mean time, it is also a call for us to be vigilant and aware of the events to come, keeping ourselves strong in the Lord.

In accordance with the Lord’s word, also pray that this day will not happen in winter or on a Sabbath. Even now, just as those in Judea will be forced to take flight, the Lord’s disciples everywhere may also well be prepared to take flight, to the mountains or the wilderness, to escape the coming persecution. In light of this, we must be prepared not to be too attached to our property and belongings and comfort in life, which can all change in an instant. We all need to pray more and ask the Lord for wisdom.

Thank God that He chose us, calling us from the beginning, knowing us by name. Seek and pray that we will always remain in the Lord, who is the vine, and we are the branches. In Him, we are secure, even if death comes upon us.

Prayer:

We thank You, Father, for the many warnings in prophecy that You have given us, that we may be prepared and not caught unawares when these things happen. We fear for the future O Lord, for the great suffering and distress that awaits us, but we trust in You, O Lord, that these things must happen, even as You prepare a new home, a new world for us.

Keep us safe in Your arms O Lord. Prepare us, and sustain us, for all that we are destined to face. In accordance to Your Word, O Lord, we pray that this event will not take place on a Sabbath or during winter.