Abomination of Desolation – Matthew 24:15-28

I know a precious believer who suffered great anxiety and fear whenever he heard a sermon about the end times and the suffering that will take place. The descriptions that Jesus gives in Matthew of the horrifying events of those days, and the apostle John giving even more vivid details in Revelation, would be enough to make anyone frightened. But Jesus is also making clear that believers will at least be aware when the problems are going to start and can take some action to find some shelter.

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. 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. 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. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. (Matthew 24:15–28, ESV)

In Daniel 9 God gave His people a timetable for them and their “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 (9:24).  He was told this would happen in 490 years, but that in the last seven years the prince of the people who is to come, some time after destroying the holy city and its sanctuary, would enter into a seven year covenant with Israel and that he would break that covenant half way in by desecrating the temple “on the wing of abominations” (vv.26,27).  Paul tells us that the abomination will be this leader (whom Paul calls the man of lawlessness) taking his seat as God in the sanctuary (2 Thessalonians 2:4).  This is the event Jesus is referring to.

It seems this event is what sets off what Jesus calls a time of “great tribulation,” a time of unprecedented suffering and persecution of Christians.  Revelation describes the judgments God is pouring out on the earth during this time, culminating in Jesus’ return (Revelation 6-19).  Believers in Judea will be warned of this persecution when they see the temple desecrated and will not waste time going in their homes to gather belongings but run as fast as they can to the mountains for safety.  Being pregnant or be it during winter time will only make their suffering greater.  If it is the Sabbath they should flee anyway.

The end is coming but believers should not be fooled by someone saying Messiah is in some particular spot, because Messiah’s coming will be obvious to all, a public coming that is spectacular and undeniable.

God’s judgments (earthquakes, plagues, darkness, poisoning of water, etc.) will last for 42 months, 3 and a half years, being cut short for believers’ sakes.  There will be many dead bodies drawing carrion birds.  It is the final judgment of God on unbelievers before Jesus comes and gathers his saints to himself and establishes his kingdom on earth.  He will rule until he brings all things into subjection and we will rule with him.

Jesus is preparing his disciples for what is coming, preparing us too.